I chucked while reading an article by Andy Cohen at miaimdolphins.com. It was like listening to John Lennon imagining the greatness of the Miami dolphin rushing attack. “Imagine if Arian Foster can fully recover from a torn Achilles and regain the form he once had. Imagine if Jay Ajayi makes the quantum leap from his first to his second season as many predict that he will. Imagine if rookie Kenyan Drake can provide the same bolt of electricity he did at Alabama?”
The axiom, ‘availability is an ability’ seems to allude the Miami Dolphin personnel department, no matter who resides at the helm. Earth to Miami, reality is constructed from the word real… Arian Foster is less than a year removed from a torn Achilles tendon. Jay Ajayi is nursing a bruised knee bone after putting on pads for the first time (not to mention his fall in the draft due to injury concerns) and Drake has some nagging injury to go along with the litany of injuries that derailed his college career.
About this time, you’re pounding little heart is screaming at the Negative Nancy writing this article. “He’s shattering my illusion!”
Reality is a wicked little bastard…
Ever notice how we’re allowed to write bastard, but we’re not allowed to write bitch? Oops, I did it! I wrote a politically incorrect word, bitch…
Isn’t that what this is all about? It’s politically correct to write about Miami’s potentially great stable of running backs, with the preface, “if they can stay healthy.” Heaven forbid we delve into reality, because it seems cruel to burst anyone’s happy little bubble prematurely. No, let’s run with this deception right up until reality lands like a cinder block on our cozy wittle heads.
How about let’s just go with the idea perhaps Adam Gase was just not that impressed with Lamar Miller. Isn’t the Miller situation another instance of bitching? The offensive coordinator and head coach just wanted the QB they hated to throw all the time and didn’t hand off to Miller? Please, listen to yourselves…
According to all the bitching, it wasn’t Tannehill audibling out of the running plays. He wasn’t allowed… Is it too early to call bullshit on the entire mess Philbin created?
Is bullshit another politically incorrect word?
Miami is a laughing stock because the entire organization was full of bullshit…
Boss Ross couldn’t admit he made a colossal mistake hiring people like Philbin because rich guys don’t make such terrible mistakes, bullshit!
How long has Andy Cohen been writing for miamidolphins.com? Unfortunately, I’m old enough to know and for the last decade of dismal performances, he’s been writing the same delusional bullshit.
Sorry Andy, nothing personal, I’m just bitching.
This is how a team gets to where Miami is, by believing in their own bitching and bullshit.
How about we start over, it does look like Adam Gase has the potential to be a good coach, but he won’t last if the front office, fans and the press continue to live in the land of misfit bullshit and bitching.
They didn’t run Lamar Miller because he was afraid of contact… He was afraid of contact at UM, it was nothing new. I got nothing against Miller, he got paid and he still has two knees that function. Ajayi and Drake want the payday and Foster wants one more chance to cash in. There’s that reality thing again, how we hate the real thing!
“Ain’t nothing like the real thing baby... Bullshit!”
The whole politically correct society has crept up on our game and our consciousness like bitching and bullshit on a downhill roll. Two huge men crashing head first into each other, bashing helmets, oh my… That’s bullshit, we need to be bitching about that right now.
Whoa, in one sentence I changed bitching and bullshit from forbidden to politically correct…
Bashing and bitching and bullshit, oh my!
You see, Tannehill was actually changing the plays… Miller didn’t like to run between the tackles, when Tannehill checked to the open “A” gap Miller hesitated. That’s why he wasn’t allowed to change the calls anymore.
Call it bullshit, but that’s why Tannehill is still here and Miller is not. Philbin never corrected the problem. When Philbin was gone, Man Campbell started sitting Miller. Campbell didn’t go for the bitching and bullshit and neither should we.
The reality is, Miami couldn’t fix all the problems the team was facing. In light of what I just wrote, they were not going to pay Lamar Miller. Olivier Vernon was on a defensive line that began the season with Wake and Suh taking the brunt of the double teams. Vernon may have been a decent player, but he was never worth the dollars the Giants threw at him.
We all know the bullshit with Brent Grimes’ wife’s constant bitching. Whether it was a career decline or a product of her in his ear, Grimes was not the player he had been.
I don’t need to go into the mess Philbin made by not jettisoning the bitch, Jonathan Martin. If we still had Richie, I doubt we’d have the problems at guard, but that’s bullshit under the bridge.
The reality is, RB, CB, OL and DL were in bad shape and there was not going to be enough talent or cash available to fix them all. Miami should be commended for not making the mistake of trying too hard to sign a single star. They let the chips fall where they may and got the best they could.
Mario Williams fell to them and honestly, if Vernon is ever as good as Williams I’ll be surprised. The best offensive lineman in the draft fell to them. Fixing two out of four in one off-season is not bad and they didn’t stretch too far except for perhaps Drake.
The Dolphins head into the season and the reality is, injuries are going to hurt the running game and the DBs are going to get torched…
See, even with all the bitching and bullshit, reality was not all that hard...
Showing posts with label Olivier Vernon. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Olivier Vernon. Show all posts
Miami Dolphins Free Agent Targets Of Hopeful Preference
So here are a few to ponder.
13) TE- Zach Miller (32 in October) of Chicago's Bears/(Adam Gase) comes in as the 94th rated target. Miller had a great 2015 and may come into play at an affordable rate should Miami feel the need to separate from Jordan Cameron (28) at seasons start. The Colts more youthful TE's ranked at 48th Dwayne Allen (26) and 51st ranked Coby Fleener (28 at seasons start) may also be options with three years experience under Gase. Twenty-Six tight ends could be HAD.
12) WR- Rishard Matthews (27 in October) via your own Miami Dolphins strides in at the 66th Free Agent Spot. He would be as good a 3rd or 4th receiver that Miami could hope for to go along with Devante Parker, Jarvis Landry, and Kenny Stills. Thirty-Nine receivers are wide open.
11) MLB- Stephen Tulloch (31 until 2017) of the 4 - 3 Detroit Lions defense has started in all 16 games since 2010 other than 3 starts in three 2014 games played while also starting 3/4ths or more of the 2008/09 seasons. He is the 75th best rated prospect as a reliable stop-gap toward the MLB position. Five True Middle Linebacker's will be making the read of where they want to be.
10) ILB- Danny Trevathan (26 this month) of the Denver Broncos sits at 9th on the free agent list (which suggest that he's pretty good), and likely to be expensive. As an ILB from a 3 - 4 defense it's unproven as to whether or not he fits at the Miami need of an MLB. Forty other LB and/or OLB's as well as Eleven ILB's are hitting the market, some with potential MLB abilities.
9) T- Mitchell Schwartz (27 in June) of the Cleveland Browns is ranked 38th. Schwartz has started all 64 games of his four year career and the Dolphins are in dire need of two tackles for depth. Twenty-Five free agent tackles will do the shuffle.
8) G- Alex Boone (29 come May) from the San Francisco 49ers is ranked 29th. Boone has started in all games played over the last four years of his six year career.
Just One of Twenty-Seven Guards.
7) S- George Iloka (26 this month) of the Cincinnati Bengals/(DC Vance Joseph) covers the 24th spot. Iloka has started all 44 of 44 games played over the past three seasons of his four year career. Fourteen free safties and Twenty-One strong safties will be roaming the field while most are interchangeable.
6) CB- Prince Amukamara (27 in June) from the New York Giants shuts down the ranking of 20th. Amukamara has started all but three games played over the last four seasons of his five NFL years. Forty pure cornerbacks and another fourteen listed as defensive backs will be there for the pick. Miami's expensive Brent Grimes' productive days in Miami are numbered at (33 come July)!
5) DE- Derrick Shelby (27 a few days ago) of your Miami Dolphins rates as the 27th best free agent. Minus Olivier Vernon AND Mario Williams, he'll practically become an absolute necessity, at least to some extent! Forty-One defensive ends will be looking to break the pocket.
4) RB- Lamar Miller (25 in April) via Miami's Dolphins high steps in as the 12th most popular prospect. Miami's wanting to keep him at five while he's looking for 6 million. You know what he does as the most productively youthful running back that's about to hit the market. Should he be lost? Denver's (not in the top 99) Ronnie Hillman of similar age and skill-sets may come into play. (Though he's 20 pounds lighter than Lamar Miller and half as productive over the same fours years), Dolphin head coach Adam Gase has three first hand knowledge years of Hillman's abilities. Denver's other (not on the top 99 free agent list) running back CJ Anderson (25 through o16) is likely a better option as he is also well rounded while he's the more powerful at 225 pounds than even Lamar Miller. Anderson is a restricted free agent that the Bronco's have the option of matching whatever offers that come his way. Thirty free agent running backs of different shapes, sizes, ages, and skills are wanting to replace the well rounded Lamar Miller. Some of them can, but none of the UFA's ; ) that can are nearly as youthful. Early Draft is a different story ; )! Should Lamar Miller be lost?
3) G- Kelechi Osemele (27 in June) of the Baltimore Ravens is the 3rd ranked overall prospect, and has started 51 of 51 games played in his four year career. No explanation required! Twenty-Seven other lesser Guards will be there for the push.
2) DE- Mario Williams' Buffalo Bills cut him last week making him (immediately) available as the leagues overall 7th best available free agent target. He is healthy at (31 years old) while being three years younger than (Cameron Wake at 8.4 mill) who (even if healthy) is on the last achilles of his journey. Mario Williams first and only visit thus-far took place with the Miami Dolphins this past Saturday.
1) DE Olivier Vernon (26 come October) of Miami's Dolphins
is ranked 2nd overall of the top 99 Free Agents:
With transition tag status, he's Miami's if not offered more than 12.7 on the market!
He's big bang ripe and about to become a star for someone in the right stratosphere!
Let The (NOT SO) Free For All Begin!
Thank You for an open minded read
and we look forward to yours as well as the Miami Dolphins angle of view : )) !!
GOFINS!!!
STAY-TUNED to the bottom of this piece for Edited-In UPDATES upon each signing!
UPDATE 3/7 ;
The latest news has Miami trading for 2013 rookie of the year MLB Kiko Alonso (26 in August), big & long CB Byron Maxwell (28 through o16), and draft compensation from Philadelphia for what is suggested to be mid to late round Dolphins draft picks. Supposedly the deal is done, but details won't be made official until after the league year begins on Wednesday. OFFICIALLY; The trade equates to Philly's Kiko Alonso (at under 1 million), Byron Maxwell, and o16 draft pick #13 for Miami's pick at #8..
UPDATE 3/8 ;
Tight End Jordan Cameron restructures down from 7.5 to 6 million to stay in Miami in 2016 for the final year of his current contract.
UPDATE 3/8 ;
Dolphins ink Defensive End Mario Williams #2 on this articles wish-list at a reported 8.5 million per for two years with the potential of an additional 3 million worth of incentives should he want to be extra productive!!
UPDATE 3/9 ;
Dolphins rescind transition tag of Olivier Vernon (who is now a free agent),
and Miami gets the 12.7 million back towards cap space.. Doesn't mean he's entirely out of question for us (though it's likely) as we no longer have first refusal rights to match whatever he's offered elsewhere!!
UPDATE 3/9 ;
Dolphins save 6.5 with release of 9.5 million Brent (33) & Miko Grimes..
UPDATE 3/9 ;
Dolphins sign Safety Isa Abdul-Quddus (26 with 16 starts) to a 3-year deal worth 12.75 ..
Made play for George Iloka who re-signed with Bengals for 6+Mill per year.
UPDATE 3/9 ;
Dolphins sign six year veteran backup Tackle Sam Young (13 starts) to one year at 910,000.
UPDATE 3/9 ;
Olivier Vernon signs with Giants at 17 million per year, 5 years 85 million, 52 million guaranteed/3 years.. Miami will receive a future 3rd or 4th round compensatory draft pick..
UPDATE 3/9 ;
Derrick Shelby signs with Atlanta for a reported 21 million over 4 years..
UPDATE 3/9 ;
Lamar Miller signs with Texans for 6.5 per year, 4 years 26 million, 14 guaranteed..
Miami will receive a future 3rd or 4th round compensatory draft pick..
UPDATE 3/10 ;
CJ Anderson (25) RFA-RB agrees to four year 18 million deal with Miami..
Denver has five days to match offer that includes 6 million salary for o16..
Miami Dolphins To Put Transition Tag On Olivier Vernon
On tag deadline day the Dolphins have put in their bid to retain defensive End and Miami lifer Olivier Vernon. Opposing NFL teams can offer OV more than what the Dolphins have put on paper toward their one year setting of the bar, but Miami will get the opportunity to match any other offer should they choose to do so. Barring that scenario , a trade, or a long term contract agreement? Olivier Vernon will start for the Dolphins in 2016 at a rate of 12.734 million which is the average of the top ten Defensive Ends in the league.
GOFINS!!!
GOFINS!!!
Should Olivier Vernon Remain in Miami
Interesting Von Miller's 93.3 rating on the free agent value scale is only one point higher than Olivier Vernon's at 92.5.
There is a game being played out by the players side of the NFL, meaning the players association and agents. As employees, collusion is not a term typically used on the players side of the table. Yet, by driving the price up, players influence the salary cap to the benefit of the union. Only one team needs to pony up and Vernon becomes a casualty for the Dolphins. This is why Miami tends to lose players like Olivier Vernon.
Is Vernon considered good enough to franchise? Is Vernon good enough to be one percent less valuable than Von Miller? According to the rankings above, the answer would be yes to both of those questions, but in reality Vernon may not be worth being paid equitable to the best DEs in the game. His numbers and game changing plays are not quite there.
His agent is going to sell him as a game changer and Miami is left in the awkward position of having to "Low Ball" Vernon even though what they offer is probably in-line with his true value.
So Vernon most likely will be designated a transition player, which gives the club a right of first-refusal to match any contract offer from another team. Since defenses are based around coverage and pass rushing, another team may see him as a proven DE commodity. Miami may have to pay more than he is worth to keep him if another team offers a big number.
I think the Dolphins should pay the price... Too often Miami allows their own players to move on and than has to resort to bringing in outsiders.
Free Agents here because they got a payday, have no affiliation to the team. Often the other players in the locker room that have fought under the Miami banner are uninspired by money players. It's a slap in the face.
When a team keeps its own players, the home grown talent has a team affiliation and has earned respect in the locker room. They will play for more than just a payday. They will play because of the bonds they have formed.
Those bonds are the building blocks that help teams achieve greatness. This is the reason most teams built from the draft have a better chance of achieving long term success in my opinion...
In Miami, this ingredient has been the missing link...
What say you?
There is a game being played out by the players side of the NFL, meaning the players association and agents. As employees, collusion is not a term typically used on the players side of the table. Yet, by driving the price up, players influence the salary cap to the benefit of the union. Only one team needs to pony up and Vernon becomes a casualty for the Dolphins. This is why Miami tends to lose players like Olivier Vernon.
Is Vernon considered good enough to franchise? Is Vernon good enough to be one percent less valuable than Von Miller? According to the rankings above, the answer would be yes to both of those questions, but in reality Vernon may not be worth being paid equitable to the best DEs in the game. His numbers and game changing plays are not quite there.
His agent is going to sell him as a game changer and Miami is left in the awkward position of having to "Low Ball" Vernon even though what they offer is probably in-line with his true value.
So Vernon most likely will be designated a transition player, which gives the club a right of first-refusal to match any contract offer from another team. Since defenses are based around coverage and pass rushing, another team may see him as a proven DE commodity. Miami may have to pay more than he is worth to keep him if another team offers a big number.
I think the Dolphins should pay the price... Too often Miami allows their own players to move on and than has to resort to bringing in outsiders.
Free Agents here because they got a payday, have no affiliation to the team. Often the other players in the locker room that have fought under the Miami banner are uninspired by money players. It's a slap in the face.
When a team keeps its own players, the home grown talent has a team affiliation and has earned respect in the locker room. They will play for more than just a payday. They will play because of the bonds they have formed.
Those bonds are the building blocks that help teams achieve greatness. This is the reason most teams built from the draft have a better chance of achieving long term success in my opinion...
In Miami, this ingredient has been the missing link...
What say you?
Miami Dolphins Fail To Lose, Simply Refuse To Quit !
Desiring a Miami Dolphin Victory on the road against a (winning 3 of the last 4 games) soaring Philadelphia Eagles team is easier said than done. From an execution point of view, Miami tried their hardest to satisfy the reasoning for some of their fans quitting on them. Fans that on numerous occasions have admittedly turned off their televisions upon calculating that a 16 - 3 first quarter deficit can only result in a 64 - 12 Dolphin loss. From within the hearts of those that wear the Aqua & Orange, due to the love of the game, loyalty to their fellow players, Dan Campbell, coaches, and franchise. The Miami Dolphins Team (of which the entire active roster got on the field in this game), simply refuse to quit!
On Miami's opening possession they scored with a field goal to take the lead. The Dolphins now at 4 - 5 have yet to lose a game that they've led at some point. Less than two minutes later they trailed by four points as the Eagles easily swooped down the field 58 yards for the go ahead touchdown.
Losing a ball out of the back of the end zone for a third consecutive games early safety against Miami had the Dolphins down by six points just five seconds later. The safety was the end result of one of those "execution point of view" mishaps as a fumbling, bumbling, indecisive kickoff return gave the visitors the ball at their own one yard line. Naturally, a first down drive hindering penalty (before the snap which has been par for the course) resulted in another half yard loss. On the first play ran, quarterback Ryan Tannehill was practically broke in half as he took a 20 MPH hit to the center of his spine from an untouched blindside blitz that forced the ball beyond the end-line. Miami started three of their series from within their own 3 yard line, and only five of their 14 possessions from beyond their own 20.
Philadelphia with what is now a 9 - 3 scoreboard advantage receive the (after a safety) free punt and drive to score a 16th point four minutes later as their slow as molasses 30 year old tight end has been grazing in a wide open pasture of nothing but grass for 90 yards on two possessions.
Hindering an answer to the onslaught, Miami follows with a five and out punt which gives the home team the ball with two first quarter minutes remaining. Four minutes later the home team has driven 57 yards but present Eagle (Caleb Sturgis) misses the 32 yard field goal attempt.
Inclined not to quit. The Dolphins defense and/or if not Ndamukong Suh by himself (two TFL's for minus 12 yards on the previous drive), and the forcing of a missed field goal has suddenly inspired the players to believe that hard work does indeed payoff. For those who refused to continue watching. A 16 - 3 first quarter deficit is never suggestive that the final score will be 64 - 12 as from here on out the Eagles scored just 3 points while Miami's defense accrued four sacks, forced four drive stopping fumbles (though they didn't recover them), blocked a punt, and had an end zone interception!!! Miami's offense too is suddenly motivated, and drives 74 yards for a 22 yard field goal to pull within ten points at 16 - 6 with little more than half the second quarter ticks to go.
Never say Never as The Miami Dolphins (rookie Zach Vigil) blocks the Eagles following possessions punt to take control at the home teams 12 yard line and pull within 16 - 13 two plays later with a Tannehill screen to Lamar Miller for the touchdown. Two Philadelphia punts surrounded by two Dolphin punts ends the first half.
So. Does a 16 - 13 halftime deficit automatically determine that the game will end with a 32 - 26 Dolphin loss? NOPE! The third quarter amounts to three Philadelphia punts surrounded by two Miami punts. The Dolphins third series of the third quarter goes for 87 yards on seven plays and ends five seconds into the fourth quarter with a Tannehill to Jarvis Landry four yard touchdown reception for Miami's 20th game winning points to Philadelphia's 16. The Eagles scored a 19th point on their next series, and drove to the Dolphins 9 yard line two possessions after that before a Rashad Jones end zone interception sealed the deal. A Dolphin punt and Eagles loss of possession on downs resulted in Miami closing the game in 20 - 19 VICTORY FORMATION!
ALL 46 ACTIVE MIAMI DOLPHIN PLAYERS GOT ON THE FIELD, CONTRIBUTED, and NEVER QUIT!
Thank You for an Open-Minded Read, and we look forward to your never quitting angle of view : )) !!
GO DOLPHINS!!!
On Miami's opening possession they scored with a field goal to take the lead. The Dolphins now at 4 - 5 have yet to lose a game that they've led at some point. Less than two minutes later they trailed by four points as the Eagles easily swooped down the field 58 yards for the go ahead touchdown.
Losing a ball out of the back of the end zone for a third consecutive games early safety against Miami had the Dolphins down by six points just five seconds later. The safety was the end result of one of those "execution point of view" mishaps as a fumbling, bumbling, indecisive kickoff return gave the visitors the ball at their own one yard line. Naturally, a first down drive hindering penalty (before the snap which has been par for the course) resulted in another half yard loss. On the first play ran, quarterback Ryan Tannehill was practically broke in half as he took a 20 MPH hit to the center of his spine from an untouched blindside blitz that forced the ball beyond the end-line. Miami started three of their series from within their own 3 yard line, and only five of their 14 possessions from beyond their own 20.
Philadelphia with what is now a 9 - 3 scoreboard advantage receive the (after a safety) free punt and drive to score a 16th point four minutes later as their slow as molasses 30 year old tight end has been grazing in a wide open pasture of nothing but grass for 90 yards on two possessions.
Hindering an answer to the onslaught, Miami follows with a five and out punt which gives the home team the ball with two first quarter minutes remaining. Four minutes later the home team has driven 57 yards but present Eagle (Caleb Sturgis) misses the 32 yard field goal attempt.
Inclined not to quit. The Dolphins defense and/or if not Ndamukong Suh by himself (two TFL's for minus 12 yards on the previous drive), and the forcing of a missed field goal has suddenly inspired the players to believe that hard work does indeed payoff. For those who refused to continue watching. A 16 - 3 first quarter deficit is never suggestive that the final score will be 64 - 12 as from here on out the Eagles scored just 3 points while Miami's defense accrued four sacks, forced four drive stopping fumbles (though they didn't recover them), blocked a punt, and had an end zone interception!!! Miami's offense too is suddenly motivated, and drives 74 yards for a 22 yard field goal to pull within ten points at 16 - 6 with little more than half the second quarter ticks to go.
Never say Never as The Miami Dolphins (rookie Zach Vigil) blocks the Eagles following possessions punt to take control at the home teams 12 yard line and pull within 16 - 13 two plays later with a Tannehill screen to Lamar Miller for the touchdown. Two Philadelphia punts surrounded by two Dolphin punts ends the first half.
So. Does a 16 - 13 halftime deficit automatically determine that the game will end with a 32 - 26 Dolphin loss? NOPE! The third quarter amounts to three Philadelphia punts surrounded by two Miami punts. The Dolphins third series of the third quarter goes for 87 yards on seven plays and ends five seconds into the fourth quarter with a Tannehill to Jarvis Landry four yard touchdown reception for Miami's 20th game winning points to Philadelphia's 16. The Eagles scored a 19th point on their next series, and drove to the Dolphins 9 yard line two possessions after that before a Rashad Jones end zone interception sealed the deal. A Dolphin punt and Eagles loss of possession on downs resulted in Miami closing the game in 20 - 19 VICTORY FORMATION!
ALL 46 ACTIVE MIAMI DOLPHIN PLAYERS GOT ON THE FIELD, CONTRIBUTED, and NEVER QUIT!
Thank You for an Open-Minded Read, and we look forward to your never quitting angle of view : )) !!
GO DOLPHINS!!!
Miami Dolphins, Campbell's Soup, Mmmm-Mmmm GOOD
One Serving Heating Instructions;
Open One Can of specially blended Whoop-Ass Campbell's Soup, bring to boil, add spices of four takeaways, six sacks, five touchdowns with a field goal for the most Miami Dolphin points in six years, and serve with gatorade bath for Victorious Nutrition.
Upon a third straight loss two weeks ago a new Texas born interim sheriff by the name of Dan Campbell was designated to lead the town of Miami from dysfunction. On his very first day he brought the towns people into the streets and put them head to head in a wild west style shootout referred to as the Oklahoma drill which was intended to leave only the best men alive while also re-uniting those left standing. A fortnight later. The 2015 Miami Dolphins that even the most pessimistic of town-folk expected on the field of play this season finally came to fight on this Sunday against the Tennessee Titans.
To this point of a four game season the Dolphins had only led a game for mere minutes of a week one win. On this fifth Sunday, they led from the opening gun and never looked back at the carnage left lying between the hash marks. Miami took it's game opening drive 80 yards on 7 plays in 4:21 for a Jarvis Landry end-around TOUCHDOWN of 22 yards and a 7 - 0 lead.
The Titans fought back with a 10 play, 61 yard drive in 5:11 of their own that resulted in a field goal of 37 yards to pull within four points at 7 - 3. Miami returned the favor 5:22 later with a 10 play, 68 yard drive and Dolphins 30 yard field goal to end the first quarter with a 10 - 3 lead.
In four games plus one quarter, The Miami Dolphins Defense had accrued just one (opening day) quarterback sack on the season, but that was about to drastically change. On the Titans next drive which started at their own 20, in 3 plays with the aid of an unnecessary roughness penalty quickly moved to the Dolphins 41 yard line. On a 2nd down with 5 yards to go, a hindered by a hamstring injury till this day Cameron Wake notched his first sack of the season. Miami had stopped the following 3rd down play though a bogus roughing the passer penalty gave the Titans a first down at Miami's 33. Two plays later on a 3rd & 5, Wake sacked the opposing quarterback for a second time on the drive and forced a fumble that was recovered by the Dolphins Jelani Jenkins while the referee's suggested that it was an incomplete pass. Miami's new Head Coach threw the first red flag of his career and won the challenge that returned possession to the Dolphins at their own 27 yard line.
On the third play from the Dolphins 49, a Ryan Tannehill pass that glanced off the hands of tight end Jordan Cameron resulted in an interception and return to Miami's 29 yard line. On the fourth play of the Titans ensuing possession, Cameron Wake engulfed the Tennessee Quarterback for the third time on the day while forcing yet another fumble that was recovered and returned 31 yards to the Titans 34 by Jamar Taylor . Seven plays later Dolphin running back Lamar Miller scored his first TOUCHDOWN of the year from seven yards out for a Miami scoreboard lead of 17 - 3.
With 5:07 first half minutes remaining the Titans marched down to the Miami 31 yard line in 3 minutes on seven plays. On the eighth play Olivier Vernon gathered his first sack of the season of minus 12 yards (Miami's fourth sack of the day) that pushed Tennessee out of field goal range at the 2 minute warning, and forced a Titans punt two plays later.
Upon Dan Campbell's first interview as Miami's head coach, he suggested that the Dolphins will no-longer be conservative from either side of the ball. (If he hadn't already). He proved as much with a 17 point lead and 1:40 to go in the first half from his own 6 yard line as the Dolphins drove 62 yards in 10 plays to the Titans 32 before a miscommunication between Tannehill and Cameron resulted in an interception with 23 first half seconds to go. On Tennessee's second play, Cam Wake ended the half with his fourth sack of the day and season as Miami went to the tunnel with a fourteen point lead at 17 - 3.
Early in the second quarter (21 minutes into the game), The Miami Dolphins had accrued 181 yards of offense. By halftime they had mounted 275 total offensive yards with 144 coming via the ground attack and 100 of that coming from Lamar Miller while the defense accumulated five sacks and two fumble recoveries in allowing just 3 Titan points as Tennessee fans booed their home team off the field.
Upon Tennessee's opening second half drive of 32 yards on 6 plays, the Dolphins linebackers Jelani Jenkins (-5), and Koa Misi (-9) notched-up two TFL's (tackles for loss) in a 3 play span to force a Titans punt. Miami followed with a stalled five play possession of 19 yards, and Tennessee fair caught the punt at their own 13 yard line. On the 5th play of a 14 yard possession Miami's star safety Rashad Jones intercepted the Titans star quarterback which he returned To'Da'House with an end zone full-gainer with a half twist dive for a Pik-Six TOUCHDOWN and 24 - 3 Dolphin scoreboard advantage.
After exchanging three and outs, with 2:14 remaining on the third quarter clock the Titans took the ball from their own 48 and into the Miami end zone in five plays to pull within 14 at 24 - 10 as the third quarter ended.
Miami followed with their second consecutive three and out (for zero yards) from their own 22 yard line, and things started to get a bit sketchy as the Titans returned the punt along with a Miami penalty to the Dolphins 37. "Started to get a bit sketchy", but on the Titans first play, a pass to the end zone was brilliantly intercepted by the one and only Brent Grimes.
The Dolphins after dominating throughout quickly realized how close they came to letting the Titans back into the game, and threw a second can of Campbell's Soup (Special Whoop-Ass Blend) onto the burner.
From their own 3 yard line on first and ten, Tannehill threw a 38 yard dart down the sidelines to Kenny Stills, followed by a 24 yard pass to Rishard Matthews, and a 13 yard pass to Jarvis Landry to the Titans 22. A holding penalty on the next play pushed them back to the 32. On first and 20 from the 32, Tannehill hit for 12 yards the newly re-acquired running back Jonas Gray who followed that with 3 successive runs of 7, 6, and 5 yards to the Tennessee 2 yard line. On second and Goal To Go, (another key ingredient) to everything that Miami wants to do on offense made his first significant play since being injured and off the active roster since the first quarter of week one. With half of the 4th quarter ticks to go Ryan Tannehill hit the wide-open Tight End Dion Sims for a TOUCHDOWN and 31 - 10 visitors advantage.
At this point Tennessee was in four down territory no-matter where they might be on the field, and followed the Miami touchdown with a five and out on downs for 21 yards. The Dolphins took over possession at the Titans 47 yard line, and didn't take their foot off the gas as they went that same 47 yards on 7 plays. Tannehill hits Jordan Cameron for 12 yards and "Another Miami Dolphins TOUCHDOWN" for a 38 - 10 VICTORY!
When all was said and done.
Miami's defense had sacked Marcus Mariota six times (four via Cam Wake which included two forced fumbles) recovered by (Jelani Jenkins and Jamar Taylor), and picked him off twice with one via (Brent Grimes) and the other (Rashad Jones) being for a Pik-Six To'Da'House .
Ryan Tannehill (with the return of Left tackle Brandon Albert and Tight End Dion Sims) was sacked just twice, and had two interceptions of not entirely (if at all) his fault. The Dolphins had no other turnovers.
Tannehill went 22 of 29 for 266 yards with two touchdown passes while Mariota went 21 of 33 for 219 yards with one touchdown pass.
Lamar Miller rushed for 113 yards on 19 game attempts (with 100 yards in the first half) and a touchdown, while others shared the second halves remaining 13 attempts. Rishard Matthews led through the air with six catches for 85 yards, Kenny Stills had the long reception of the day for 38 yards from Miami's own 3 yard line while Tight Ends Jordan Cameron and Dion Sims scored touchdowns.
The Dolphins accrued 434 total net offensive yards with 180 coming via the ground attack on 32 attempts (20 more opportunities on average than they had been offering). The Titans gathered 299 total yards with just 63 coming on the ground (100 fewer on average than Miami's defense had been allowing over the season's first four games). Ndamukong Suh caused pressure all day, and deflected two passes at the line of scrimmage. Miami held possession for nearly four minutes longer than Tennessee.
Here's to Dan Campbell, his new staff, and the real MIAMI DOLPHINS!
Thank You and CONGRATULATIONS!
THANK YOU for an open-minded read, and we look forward to your angle of view : )) !!
GOFINS!!!
Open One Can of specially blended Whoop-Ass Campbell's Soup, bring to boil, add spices of four takeaways, six sacks, five touchdowns with a field goal for the most Miami Dolphin points in six years, and serve with gatorade bath for Victorious Nutrition.
Upon a third straight loss two weeks ago a new Texas born interim sheriff by the name of Dan Campbell was designated to lead the town of Miami from dysfunction. On his very first day he brought the towns people into the streets and put them head to head in a wild west style shootout referred to as the Oklahoma drill which was intended to leave only the best men alive while also re-uniting those left standing. A fortnight later. The 2015 Miami Dolphins that even the most pessimistic of town-folk expected on the field of play this season finally came to fight on this Sunday against the Tennessee Titans.
To this point of a four game season the Dolphins had only led a game for mere minutes of a week one win. On this fifth Sunday, they led from the opening gun and never looked back at the carnage left lying between the hash marks. Miami took it's game opening drive 80 yards on 7 plays in 4:21 for a Jarvis Landry end-around TOUCHDOWN of 22 yards and a 7 - 0 lead.
The Titans fought back with a 10 play, 61 yard drive in 5:11 of their own that resulted in a field goal of 37 yards to pull within four points at 7 - 3. Miami returned the favor 5:22 later with a 10 play, 68 yard drive and Dolphins 30 yard field goal to end the first quarter with a 10 - 3 lead.
In four games plus one quarter, The Miami Dolphins Defense had accrued just one (opening day) quarterback sack on the season, but that was about to drastically change. On the Titans next drive which started at their own 20, in 3 plays with the aid of an unnecessary roughness penalty quickly moved to the Dolphins 41 yard line. On a 2nd down with 5 yards to go, a hindered by a hamstring injury till this day Cameron Wake notched his first sack of the season. Miami had stopped the following 3rd down play though a bogus roughing the passer penalty gave the Titans a first down at Miami's 33. Two plays later on a 3rd & 5, Wake sacked the opposing quarterback for a second time on the drive and forced a fumble that was recovered by the Dolphins Jelani Jenkins while the referee's suggested that it was an incomplete pass. Miami's new Head Coach threw the first red flag of his career and won the challenge that returned possession to the Dolphins at their own 27 yard line.
On the third play from the Dolphins 49, a Ryan Tannehill pass that glanced off the hands of tight end Jordan Cameron resulted in an interception and return to Miami's 29 yard line. On the fourth play of the Titans ensuing possession, Cameron Wake engulfed the Tennessee Quarterback for the third time on the day while forcing yet another fumble that was recovered and returned 31 yards to the Titans 34 by Jamar Taylor . Seven plays later Dolphin running back Lamar Miller scored his first TOUCHDOWN of the year from seven yards out for a Miami scoreboard lead of 17 - 3.
With 5:07 first half minutes remaining the Titans marched down to the Miami 31 yard line in 3 minutes on seven plays. On the eighth play Olivier Vernon gathered his first sack of the season of minus 12 yards (Miami's fourth sack of the day) that pushed Tennessee out of field goal range at the 2 minute warning, and forced a Titans punt two plays later.
Upon Dan Campbell's first interview as Miami's head coach, he suggested that the Dolphins will no-longer be conservative from either side of the ball. (If he hadn't already). He proved as much with a 17 point lead and 1:40 to go in the first half from his own 6 yard line as the Dolphins drove 62 yards in 10 plays to the Titans 32 before a miscommunication between Tannehill and Cameron resulted in an interception with 23 first half seconds to go. On Tennessee's second play, Cam Wake ended the half with his fourth sack of the day and season as Miami went to the tunnel with a fourteen point lead at 17 - 3.
Early in the second quarter (21 minutes into the game), The Miami Dolphins had accrued 181 yards of offense. By halftime they had mounted 275 total offensive yards with 144 coming via the ground attack and 100 of that coming from Lamar Miller while the defense accumulated five sacks and two fumble recoveries in allowing just 3 Titan points as Tennessee fans booed their home team off the field.
Upon Tennessee's opening second half drive of 32 yards on 6 plays, the Dolphins linebackers Jelani Jenkins (-5), and Koa Misi (-9) notched-up two TFL's (tackles for loss) in a 3 play span to force a Titans punt. Miami followed with a stalled five play possession of 19 yards, and Tennessee fair caught the punt at their own 13 yard line. On the 5th play of a 14 yard possession Miami's star safety Rashad Jones intercepted the Titans star quarterback which he returned To'Da'House with an end zone full-gainer with a half twist dive for a Pik-Six TOUCHDOWN and 24 - 3 Dolphin scoreboard advantage.
After exchanging three and outs, with 2:14 remaining on the third quarter clock the Titans took the ball from their own 48 and into the Miami end zone in five plays to pull within 14 at 24 - 10 as the third quarter ended.
Miami followed with their second consecutive three and out (for zero yards) from their own 22 yard line, and things started to get a bit sketchy as the Titans returned the punt along with a Miami penalty to the Dolphins 37. "Started to get a bit sketchy", but on the Titans first play, a pass to the end zone was brilliantly intercepted by the one and only Brent Grimes.
The Dolphins after dominating throughout quickly realized how close they came to letting the Titans back into the game, and threw a second can of Campbell's Soup (Special Whoop-Ass Blend) onto the burner.
From their own 3 yard line on first and ten, Tannehill threw a 38 yard dart down the sidelines to Kenny Stills, followed by a 24 yard pass to Rishard Matthews, and a 13 yard pass to Jarvis Landry to the Titans 22. A holding penalty on the next play pushed them back to the 32. On first and 20 from the 32, Tannehill hit for 12 yards the newly re-acquired running back Jonas Gray who followed that with 3 successive runs of 7, 6, and 5 yards to the Tennessee 2 yard line. On second and Goal To Go, (another key ingredient) to everything that Miami wants to do on offense made his first significant play since being injured and off the active roster since the first quarter of week one. With half of the 4th quarter ticks to go Ryan Tannehill hit the wide-open Tight End Dion Sims for a TOUCHDOWN and 31 - 10 visitors advantage.
At this point Tennessee was in four down territory no-matter where they might be on the field, and followed the Miami touchdown with a five and out on downs for 21 yards. The Dolphins took over possession at the Titans 47 yard line, and didn't take their foot off the gas as they went that same 47 yards on 7 plays. Tannehill hits Jordan Cameron for 12 yards and "Another Miami Dolphins TOUCHDOWN" for a 38 - 10 VICTORY!
When all was said and done.
Miami's defense had sacked Marcus Mariota six times (four via Cam Wake which included two forced fumbles) recovered by (Jelani Jenkins and Jamar Taylor), and picked him off twice with one via (Brent Grimes) and the other (Rashad Jones) being for a Pik-Six To'Da'House .
Ryan Tannehill (with the return of Left tackle Brandon Albert and Tight End Dion Sims) was sacked just twice, and had two interceptions of not entirely (if at all) his fault. The Dolphins had no other turnovers.
Tannehill went 22 of 29 for 266 yards with two touchdown passes while Mariota went 21 of 33 for 219 yards with one touchdown pass.
Lamar Miller rushed for 113 yards on 19 game attempts (with 100 yards in the first half) and a touchdown, while others shared the second halves remaining 13 attempts. Rishard Matthews led through the air with six catches for 85 yards, Kenny Stills had the long reception of the day for 38 yards from Miami's own 3 yard line while Tight Ends Jordan Cameron and Dion Sims scored touchdowns.
The Dolphins accrued 434 total net offensive yards with 180 coming via the ground attack on 32 attempts (20 more opportunities on average than they had been offering). The Titans gathered 299 total yards with just 63 coming on the ground (100 fewer on average than Miami's defense had been allowing over the season's first four games). Ndamukong Suh caused pressure all day, and deflected two passes at the line of scrimmage. Miami held possession for nearly four minutes longer than Tennessee.
Here's to Dan Campbell, his new staff, and the real MIAMI DOLPHINS!
Thank You and CONGRATULATIONS!
THANK YOU for an open-minded read, and we look forward to your angle of view : )) !!
GOFINS!!!
Time for the Real Miami Dolphins to Stand Up
The Miami Dolphins followed a flat uninspiring victory in week one with lackluster loss in week two. If the season is a marathon, Miami came out with very little desire to lead the pack from the opening gun. Joe Philbin’s stoic unemotional style has made its mark on the organization early in the season.
The Dolphins uncharacteristically amassed 13 penalties including a personal foul by Olivier Vernon setting up Jacksonville’s game winning field goal. The Miami offense ran 7 plays in the first quarter and, with only 5 in the first quarter last week the trend of starting anemically slow continued. Ryan Tannehill and the Miami offense showed some life by tying the game on the first drive of the second half, but that was it. Tannehill was unable to move the offense when the defense finally made a stand.
The running game was held to 2.6 yards per carry with Lamar Miller averaging only 1.4. Tannehill's stats looked the part completing 30 of 44 passes for 359 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions. The issue has always been in the “W” column with Tannehill and in a game where one drive in the final 6 could have sealed a victory, Tannehill could not muster the troops. The loss cannot be placed on Tannehill, but in a QB league, these are the games he must lift and carry the team to join the elite players at his position.
The vaunted Miami defensive line registered zero sacks and looked ineffective in the first half. No defensive lineman registered more than one tackle over the entire game. Suh and Mitchell may not be expected to make many tackles but the DEs brought no heat and were ineffective. The defense produced zero turnovers and Blake Bortles looked calm without duress the entire game.
In the simplest terms, for the second week in a row, Miami did not look prepared to play. They were uninspired, sloppy as though they had taken Jacksonville for granted in the week leading up to the game. This same issue has led Miami to 8-8 finishes the last two seasons, losing to less talented teams because they are unemotional and unprepared.
This game is the wakeup call for the Dolphins. With Jets surprising 2-0 start, the Bills looking better and NE again dominating, Miami must not leave any winnable games on the table. Joe Philbin will no longer be coaching the Dolphins if the uninspired play continues. Tannehill must find a way to join the elite QBs and come out with an ugly win.
It’s early and the Dolphins are clearly a better team than they showed in the first two weeks. It’s time to light the fire, the defense has been sluggish and the offense has not gotten untracked in the first quarter. These are signs Miami is not presenting anything different than on film and are not executing the plays they do run. There are only 16 games and at the end of the season this game may loom large as a reason for not making the playoffs.
It is not time to panic, but playing flat and barely beating the hapless redskins, then losing to the inexperienced Jaguars is not the start Miami fans were hoping for. If this team is truly the special unit many came into the season believing, the time to step up is now.
Beat Rex Ryan and the Bills!
If the Dolphins cannot get inspired by that challenge than Joe Philbin may indeed be looking for a job...
The Dolphins uncharacteristically amassed 13 penalties including a personal foul by Olivier Vernon setting up Jacksonville’s game winning field goal. The Miami offense ran 7 plays in the first quarter and, with only 5 in the first quarter last week the trend of starting anemically slow continued. Ryan Tannehill and the Miami offense showed some life by tying the game on the first drive of the second half, but that was it. Tannehill was unable to move the offense when the defense finally made a stand.
The running game was held to 2.6 yards per carry with Lamar Miller averaging only 1.4. Tannehill's stats looked the part completing 30 of 44 passes for 359 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions. The issue has always been in the “W” column with Tannehill and in a game where one drive in the final 6 could have sealed a victory, Tannehill could not muster the troops. The loss cannot be placed on Tannehill, but in a QB league, these are the games he must lift and carry the team to join the elite players at his position.
The vaunted Miami defensive line registered zero sacks and looked ineffective in the first half. No defensive lineman registered more than one tackle over the entire game. Suh and Mitchell may not be expected to make many tackles but the DEs brought no heat and were ineffective. The defense produced zero turnovers and Blake Bortles looked calm without duress the entire game.
In the simplest terms, for the second week in a row, Miami did not look prepared to play. They were uninspired, sloppy as though they had taken Jacksonville for granted in the week leading up to the game. This same issue has led Miami to 8-8 finishes the last two seasons, losing to less talented teams because they are unemotional and unprepared.
This game is the wakeup call for the Dolphins. With Jets surprising 2-0 start, the Bills looking better and NE again dominating, Miami must not leave any winnable games on the table. Joe Philbin will no longer be coaching the Dolphins if the uninspired play continues. Tannehill must find a way to join the elite QBs and come out with an ugly win.
It’s early and the Dolphins are clearly a better team than they showed in the first two weeks. It’s time to light the fire, the defense has been sluggish and the offense has not gotten untracked in the first quarter. These are signs Miami is not presenting anything different than on film and are not executing the plays they do run. There are only 16 games and at the end of the season this game may loom large as a reason for not making the playoffs.
It is not time to panic, but playing flat and barely beating the hapless redskins, then losing to the inexperienced Jaguars is not the start Miami fans were hoping for. If this team is truly the special unit many came into the season believing, the time to step up is now.
Beat Rex Ryan and the Bills!
If the Dolphins cannot get inspired by that challenge than Joe Philbin may indeed be looking for a job...
The Difference in Miami is a Man Named Suh
The fate of the 2015 Miami Dolphins seemed destined to mirror the previous two 8 & 8 seasons. Then training camp started and Joe Philbin told his team, “Your goal is to win the Super Bowl!” The audacity of such a statement, the boldness Old Joe had never dared whisper when his prudence ruled his pragmatism. Joe was not capable of making such a statement because it was a lie and he knew it.
The Dolphins had done some equally bold maneuvers during the off-season that made the statement viable. Unlike when the team spent megabucks on a marginal wide receiver with attitude problems, the attitude problems they spent for this year struck fear in their opponents. A man named Suh…
"Son, this world is rough
And if a man's gonna make it, he's gotta be tough
And I knew I wouldn't be there to help ya along.
So I give ya that name and I said goodbye
I knew you'd have to get tough or die."
See, the Dolphins didn’t have the fear factor, they didn’t have an identity and all those folks out there calling the man named Suh dirty, well they’re just jealous because he’s a Miami Dolphin! Cameron Wake, he’s a nice guy but mean, not so much, until a man named Suh lined up beside him. Olivia Vernon, imagine when teams must double team Suh, the havoc this defensive line will wreak on the NFL.
Mr. Brady, Mr. Brady, may I have your attention please!
Your life is about to change and unfortunately not for the better. You see Tom, a messy pocket and interior pressure disrupt your timing and it is all about timing isn’t it Tom? And Tom, when you have to move off your spot and try to make it outside the pocket, there will be some company waiting. The man named Suh changes a finesse defense into power beast-mode defense. So we look forward to seeing you this season Tom!
“We’re looking forward to playing you,” are words Bill Belichick and Tom Brady are not used to hearing from Miami. It might seem like a lot to place on the man named Suh but there’s more and it comes from Ryan Tannehill. Tannehill is perhaps the only Dolphin player with more influence in the outcome of games. Suh influences with his attitude as much as his play, Tannehill must do the same.
The next step in Tannehill’s maturation came with a simply statement, “I should be judged by wins.” He finally understands the difference between good and great. A good QB has twice as many TDs and INTs. A good QB has a 66 percent completion percentage. No QB gets fired for putting up those numbers, but teams don’t get to the dance unless the QB wins a lot more than 50 percent of his games. Tannehill gets it. He knows if he ever wants to be considered great, he must win when the fight is even.
"Now you just fought one hell of a fight
And I know you hate me, and you got the right
To kill me now, and I wouldn't blame you if you do.
But ya ought to thank me, before I die,
For the gravel in ya guts and the spit in ya eye
Cause I'm the son-of-a-bitch that named you "Sue."
It’s the gravel in his guts and the spit in his eye that leads to victory and this attitude makes one NFL team better than the next. Victory, whether throwing four TDs or four INTs, if Miami comes out with a “W” that’s why we’re watching. It’s a brutal game, played by men who literally risk their lives for the spotlight and the chance to strike it rich, why not win? Why suffer all that and not go the extra step to beat an opponent?
Now perhaps we understand the change in Old Joe, because it’s not a change in Old Joe, he’s not capable of saying things to motivate unless he believes them. The change is in his team. His defense has a defining character led by a ferocious man that is feared by the entire league. His offense is led by a man who finally understands, the SB trophies on his mantle define his legacy, not his completion percentage. Old Joe is smiling…
I got all choked up and I threw down my gun
And I called him my pa, and he called me his son,
And I came away with a different point of view.
And I think about him, now and then,
Every time I try and every time I win,
And if I ever have a son, I think I'm gonna name him Bill or George!
Joe has a different point of view and I think Miami Dolphin fans may feel the same when this season is done.
Instead of pretty wide receivers, Miami has a man named Suh.
The Dolphins had done some equally bold maneuvers during the off-season that made the statement viable. Unlike when the team spent megabucks on a marginal wide receiver with attitude problems, the attitude problems they spent for this year struck fear in their opponents. A man named Suh…
"Son, this world is rough
And if a man's gonna make it, he's gotta be tough
And I knew I wouldn't be there to help ya along.
So I give ya that name and I said goodbye
I knew you'd have to get tough or die."
See, the Dolphins didn’t have the fear factor, they didn’t have an identity and all those folks out there calling the man named Suh dirty, well they’re just jealous because he’s a Miami Dolphin! Cameron Wake, he’s a nice guy but mean, not so much, until a man named Suh lined up beside him. Olivia Vernon, imagine when teams must double team Suh, the havoc this defensive line will wreak on the NFL.
Mr. Brady, Mr. Brady, may I have your attention please!
Your life is about to change and unfortunately not for the better. You see Tom, a messy pocket and interior pressure disrupt your timing and it is all about timing isn’t it Tom? And Tom, when you have to move off your spot and try to make it outside the pocket, there will be some company waiting. The man named Suh changes a finesse defense into power beast-mode defense. So we look forward to seeing you this season Tom!
“We’re looking forward to playing you,” are words Bill Belichick and Tom Brady are not used to hearing from Miami. It might seem like a lot to place on the man named Suh but there’s more and it comes from Ryan Tannehill. Tannehill is perhaps the only Dolphin player with more influence in the outcome of games. Suh influences with his attitude as much as his play, Tannehill must do the same.
The next step in Tannehill’s maturation came with a simply statement, “I should be judged by wins.” He finally understands the difference between good and great. A good QB has twice as many TDs and INTs. A good QB has a 66 percent completion percentage. No QB gets fired for putting up those numbers, but teams don’t get to the dance unless the QB wins a lot more than 50 percent of his games. Tannehill gets it. He knows if he ever wants to be considered great, he must win when the fight is even.
"Now you just fought one hell of a fight
And I know you hate me, and you got the right
To kill me now, and I wouldn't blame you if you do.
But ya ought to thank me, before I die,
For the gravel in ya guts and the spit in ya eye
Cause I'm the son-of-a-bitch that named you "Sue."
It’s the gravel in his guts and the spit in his eye that leads to victory and this attitude makes one NFL team better than the next. Victory, whether throwing four TDs or four INTs, if Miami comes out with a “W” that’s why we’re watching. It’s a brutal game, played by men who literally risk their lives for the spotlight and the chance to strike it rich, why not win? Why suffer all that and not go the extra step to beat an opponent?
Now perhaps we understand the change in Old Joe, because it’s not a change in Old Joe, he’s not capable of saying things to motivate unless he believes them. The change is in his team. His defense has a defining character led by a ferocious man that is feared by the entire league. His offense is led by a man who finally understands, the SB trophies on his mantle define his legacy, not his completion percentage. Old Joe is smiling…
I got all choked up and I threw down my gun
And I called him my pa, and he called me his son,
And I came away with a different point of view.
And I think about him, now and then,
Every time I try and every time I win,
And if I ever have a son, I think I'm gonna name him Bill or George!
Joe has a different point of view and I think Miami Dolphin fans may feel the same when this season is done.
Instead of pretty wide receivers, Miami has a man named Suh.
Miami Dolphins Beat The Minnesota Vikings 37 - 35
For the 15th game of the 2014 NFL season, the Miami Dolphins with Head Coach Joe Philbin's job on the line hosted the Minnesota Vikings.
The Dolphins spotted the Vikings seven first quarter points to go along with another second quarter touchdown and trailed 0 - 14 three and a half minutes into the second quarter. Minnesota had seven rush attempts for 27 of 54 total yards, and walked into the end zone on their first possession. They went five and out on the next series, and on the Vikings third possession they scored their second touchdown on a short field of 23 yards with a twenty one yard Teddy Bridgewater to Greg Jennings touchdown pass. The short field was the result of a Tannehill pass that was intercepted upon being released from his fingertips, on the Dolphins third play of their third touch of the ball.
Miami's first 12 play 42 yard series field goal attempt fell short of the required 56 yards while their second possession stalled on 7 plays for 37 yards at the Vikings forty four yard line. With their fourth possession, Miami quarterback Ryan Tannehill went five of five for 56 yards as the Dolphins managed their lone first half seven points on a 92 yard drive in 12 plays that took 6:41 off the clock. The drive concluded on a Ryan Tannehill fourteen yard TOUCHDOWN PASS to tight end Dion Sims to draw within 7 - 14.
Cam Wake got the first sack of Bridgewater on the Vikings fourth series that went three and out. Miami's fifth touch of the ball went forty five yards on six plays, and concluded with a punt from the visitors forty six yard line. The Vikings drove 86 yards in ten plays on their fifth possession to kick a field goal, and increase the Minnesota lead to 7 - 17 as the first half ended.
Minnesota rookie quarterback Teddy Bridgewater was 7 of 11 for 113 yards with a touchdown pass and sack. The Vikings running game produced 67 rushing yards with a touchdown on 18 attempts. Ryan Tannehill completed 16 of 24 for 160 yards with a touchdown, interception, and sack. Miami's ground game accrued 63 yards on 11 carries.
The visitors opened the third quarter with a three and out of 9 yards. Miami followed with their quarterback completing 3 of 3 passes for 53 yards on a six play 80 yard drive. The Dolphin drive concluded with a Mike Wallace extraordinary reception, and effort to dive into the end zone for Ryan Tannehill's second TOUCHDOWN PASS of the day to pull within 14 - 17.
Bridgewater suffered his second Dolphin sack of the day via Dion Jordan on the Vikings initial play. Minnesota gathered three first downs on the 46 yard drive to the Miami thirty four. Upon the third first down play Dolphin line backer Derrick Shelby snatched an offensively deflected pass at the line of scrimmage for an interception and two yard return to that Miami 36 yard line.
With 3:36 remaining in the third quarter, Lamar Miller ran for fourteen to the fifty yard line. Tannehill followed that with a 17 yard completion to Dion Sims. After a 15 yard defensive penalty, a couple rushes for a yard each that surrounded a Charles Clay reception of eleven yards at the visitors one yard line, the third quarter ended.
Let the Fireworks begin!
The games fourth quarter included Five Touchdowns (three for Miami), a Vikings field goal, four extra points, a Minnesota two point conversion, and a Dolphins Special Teams blocked punt for a two point safety! With the fourth quarters first play from the Vikings one. On third down Lamar Miller walked the ball in for the TOUCHDOWN to give Miami it's first lead of the day at 21 - 17.
Upon gathering 64 yards in nine plays that included a Randy Starks sack (Miami's third of the day), the visitors kick a 33 yard field goal for a 21 - 20 deficit.
The home team marches eighty yards in eight plays as Tannehill (with one being of forty yards to Brandon Gibson) goes 3 of 5 for 57 yards passing. Running backs Miller (6), and Damien Williams (12, 5) gather 23 yards on three attempts. The 80 yard drive finishes with Ryan Tannehills third TOUCHDOWN PASS of the day and second (14 & 7) to Mike Wallace to give the Miami Dolphins an eight point advantage at 28 - 20.
The clock has 6:39 fourth quarter clicks to go as Sturgis (who for some terribly odd reasoning is terrified to kick the ball through the end zone) kicks the ball on the ground to a short man at the 30 whom easily returns it to the Vikings forty. Five plays later Teddy Bridgewater tosses an eight yard 6 point touchdown for a 28 - 26 deficit. Minnesota decides to tie it with a two point conversion that Miami stops twice, but committed penalties upon to give the Vikings a third opportunity from the one inch line. The visitors convert the two point play to tie the game at 28 - 28.
On the two point conversion Miami commits it's third successive penalty, this one of the personal foul variety via Olivier Vernon (his second penalty of the three), and the Vikings kickoff from the fifty yard line. They kick a pop fly that allows the coverage to swarm as Jarvis Landry slips, falls, and fumbles the ball away to the opponents at the Dolphins five yard line. The next official offensive play is a Minnesota five yard run and touchdown as the Vikings have gone from eight points down to seven points up in eleven seconds for a scoreboard Dolphin disadvantage of 28 - 35.
4:35 ticks to go, and the Miami Dolphins take 3:24 to go eighty three yards in eleven plays. Ryan Tannehill completes nine of ten passes for the entire 83 yards, the connections of ten plus yards include the first pass of 22 yards to Clay, the next play of 11 to Landry with later well executed passes to Wallace of 11 and 14 yards. Tannehill finished the 83 yard drive with his fourth TOUCHDOWN PASS of the day, a three yard dart to running back Damien Williams to tie the score at 35 - 35.
The Minnesota Vikings take possession at their own 13 yard line with 71 game seconds to go. On third down Cam Wake notches his second sack, and Miami's fourth of the day to force a visiting team punt from their own eleven yard line. Rookie defensive lineman Terrance Fede swats the punt attempt into the front row of fans for a home team Special Teams safety of two points, and MIAMI DOLPHINS VICTORY of 37 - 35.
Minnesota accrued 20 first downs with 357 total yards (238 on 26 passes, and 119 on 28 rush attempts). Miami defensive lineman Derrick Shelby had an interception while Randy Starks & Dion Jordan accrued single sacks each to go along with Cam Wake's two for his season total of 11.5, and team 38th.
The Miami Dolphins totaled 36 first downs with 493 yards (377 through the air on 47 attempts, and 116 via the ground attack on 28 carries). Miami held a six plus minute time of possession advantage, and lost the turnover battle (2 - 1).
Lamar Miller romped for 92 yards on nineteen attempts with a touchdown, and had five receptions for 58 yards. Miller is 79 yards shy of 1000 for the year while scoring eight touchdowns.
Charles Clay caught six balls for 114 with a long of 41 yards.
Running back Damien Williams had six receptions for 50 yards and a touchdown.
Brandon Gibson grabbed two for 50 yards with a long of 40.
Mike Wallace snatched five balls for 58 yards with two touchdowns, his 9th and 10th of the season equaling his career high!
Ryan Tannehill whom was sacked twice connected on 35 passes, a career high, and in another best effort, he threw FOUR TOUCHDOWN PASSES! He has twenty six touchdowns to twelve interceptions for the year!
Upon the excitement of victory, Miami Dolphin Owner Stephen Ross announced that Joe Philbin will return in 2015!
A Pittsburgh Steeler win prior to the Dolphins Victory eliminated 8 - 7 Miami from the playoffs. Your Favorite Football Team closes the season at home versus the New York Jets.
Thank-You for an Open-Minded Read, and we look forward to your angle of view!! : ))
Merry Christmas and/or Happy Holidays to All!!
GOFINS!!!
The Dolphins spotted the Vikings seven first quarter points to go along with another second quarter touchdown and trailed 0 - 14 three and a half minutes into the second quarter. Minnesota had seven rush attempts for 27 of 54 total yards, and walked into the end zone on their first possession. They went five and out on the next series, and on the Vikings third possession they scored their second touchdown on a short field of 23 yards with a twenty one yard Teddy Bridgewater to Greg Jennings touchdown pass. The short field was the result of a Tannehill pass that was intercepted upon being released from his fingertips, on the Dolphins third play of their third touch of the ball.
Miami's first 12 play 42 yard series field goal attempt fell short of the required 56 yards while their second possession stalled on 7 plays for 37 yards at the Vikings forty four yard line. With their fourth possession, Miami quarterback Ryan Tannehill went five of five for 56 yards as the Dolphins managed their lone first half seven points on a 92 yard drive in 12 plays that took 6:41 off the clock. The drive concluded on a Ryan Tannehill fourteen yard TOUCHDOWN PASS to tight end Dion Sims to draw within 7 - 14.
Cam Wake got the first sack of Bridgewater on the Vikings fourth series that went three and out. Miami's fifth touch of the ball went forty five yards on six plays, and concluded with a punt from the visitors forty six yard line. The Vikings drove 86 yards in ten plays on their fifth possession to kick a field goal, and increase the Minnesota lead to 7 - 17 as the first half ended.
Minnesota rookie quarterback Teddy Bridgewater was 7 of 11 for 113 yards with a touchdown pass and sack. The Vikings running game produced 67 rushing yards with a touchdown on 18 attempts. Ryan Tannehill completed 16 of 24 for 160 yards with a touchdown, interception, and sack. Miami's ground game accrued 63 yards on 11 carries.
The visitors opened the third quarter with a three and out of 9 yards. Miami followed with their quarterback completing 3 of 3 passes for 53 yards on a six play 80 yard drive. The Dolphin drive concluded with a Mike Wallace extraordinary reception, and effort to dive into the end zone for Ryan Tannehill's second TOUCHDOWN PASS of the day to pull within 14 - 17.
Bridgewater suffered his second Dolphin sack of the day via Dion Jordan on the Vikings initial play. Minnesota gathered three first downs on the 46 yard drive to the Miami thirty four. Upon the third first down play Dolphin line backer Derrick Shelby snatched an offensively deflected pass at the line of scrimmage for an interception and two yard return to that Miami 36 yard line.
With 3:36 remaining in the third quarter, Lamar Miller ran for fourteen to the fifty yard line. Tannehill followed that with a 17 yard completion to Dion Sims. After a 15 yard defensive penalty, a couple rushes for a yard each that surrounded a Charles Clay reception of eleven yards at the visitors one yard line, the third quarter ended.
The games fourth quarter included Five Touchdowns (three for Miami), a Vikings field goal, four extra points, a Minnesota two point conversion, and a Dolphins Special Teams blocked punt for a two point safety! With the fourth quarters first play from the Vikings one. On third down Lamar Miller walked the ball in for the TOUCHDOWN to give Miami it's first lead of the day at 21 - 17.
Upon gathering 64 yards in nine plays that included a Randy Starks sack (Miami's third of the day), the visitors kick a 33 yard field goal for a 21 - 20 deficit.
The home team marches eighty yards in eight plays as Tannehill (with one being of forty yards to Brandon Gibson) goes 3 of 5 for 57 yards passing. Running backs Miller (6), and Damien Williams (12, 5) gather 23 yards on three attempts. The 80 yard drive finishes with Ryan Tannehills third TOUCHDOWN PASS of the day and second (14 & 7) to Mike Wallace to give the Miami Dolphins an eight point advantage at 28 - 20.
The clock has 6:39 fourth quarter clicks to go as Sturgis (who for some terribly odd reasoning is terrified to kick the ball through the end zone) kicks the ball on the ground to a short man at the 30 whom easily returns it to the Vikings forty. Five plays later Teddy Bridgewater tosses an eight yard 6 point touchdown for a 28 - 26 deficit. Minnesota decides to tie it with a two point conversion that Miami stops twice, but committed penalties upon to give the Vikings a third opportunity from the one inch line. The visitors convert the two point play to tie the game at 28 - 28.
On the two point conversion Miami commits it's third successive penalty, this one of the personal foul variety via Olivier Vernon (his second penalty of the three), and the Vikings kickoff from the fifty yard line. They kick a pop fly that allows the coverage to swarm as Jarvis Landry slips, falls, and fumbles the ball away to the opponents at the Dolphins five yard line. The next official offensive play is a Minnesota five yard run and touchdown as the Vikings have gone from eight points down to seven points up in eleven seconds for a scoreboard Dolphin disadvantage of 28 - 35.
4:35 ticks to go, and the Miami Dolphins take 3:24 to go eighty three yards in eleven plays. Ryan Tannehill completes nine of ten passes for the entire 83 yards, the connections of ten plus yards include the first pass of 22 yards to Clay, the next play of 11 to Landry with later well executed passes to Wallace of 11 and 14 yards. Tannehill finished the 83 yard drive with his fourth TOUCHDOWN PASS of the day, a three yard dart to running back Damien Williams to tie the score at 35 - 35.
Minnesota accrued 20 first downs with 357 total yards (238 on 26 passes, and 119 on 28 rush attempts). Miami defensive lineman Derrick Shelby had an interception while Randy Starks & Dion Jordan accrued single sacks each to go along with Cam Wake's two for his season total of 11.5, and team 38th.
The Miami Dolphins totaled 36 first downs with 493 yards (377 through the air on 47 attempts, and 116 via the ground attack on 28 carries). Miami held a six plus minute time of possession advantage, and lost the turnover battle (2 - 1).
Lamar Miller romped for 92 yards on nineteen attempts with a touchdown, and had five receptions for 58 yards. Miller is 79 yards shy of 1000 for the year while scoring eight touchdowns.
Charles Clay caught six balls for 114 with a long of 41 yards.
Running back Damien Williams had six receptions for 50 yards and a touchdown.
Brandon Gibson grabbed two for 50 yards with a long of 40.
Mike Wallace snatched five balls for 58 yards with two touchdowns, his 9th and 10th of the season equaling his career high!
Ryan Tannehill whom was sacked twice connected on 35 passes, a career high, and in another best effort, he threw FOUR TOUCHDOWN PASSES! He has twenty six touchdowns to twelve interceptions for the year!
Upon the excitement of victory, Miami Dolphin Owner Stephen Ross announced that Joe Philbin will return in 2015!
A Pittsburgh Steeler win prior to the Dolphins Victory eliminated 8 - 7 Miami from the playoffs. Your Favorite Football Team closes the season at home versus the New York Jets.
Thank-You for an Open-Minded Read, and we look forward to your angle of view!! : ))
Merry Christmas and/or Happy Holidays to All!!
GOFINS!!!
Men Of Teal Prevail 22 - 9 Over White Buffalo
The Miami Dolphins made a rare appearance on the nationally televised Thursday night football game versus inner-division rival and nemesis of late Buffalo Bills. Each team came into the game with a record of 5 - 4, and both teams NFL playoff lives were on the line. This was especially true for the home team Dolphins who had already lost the previous head to head match-up in Buffalo. A Miami loss in this instance literally spelt doom for the teams playoff hopes, it have been a second straight loss with a trip to Peyton's Place looming. This was a must win for the Dolphins, a loss would have meant they would lose all wild card playoff tie breaker scenario's to both the Chiefs, and Bills. If it were to come down to said three teams?
One would think that the network would inauspiciously highlight the home teams first time in ten years brightly colored entrance to the field? Miami wore teal uniforms from head to toe for the first time since the days of Ricky Williams. Low and Behold, the league's Rodney (Dolphins) Dangerfield get no respect and the network cuts to commercial as Miami approaches the tunnel's exit. The analysts (for the most part) dog the Dolphins during the pregame, and continuously suggest through halftime that the visitors will do something mystical to win the game.
Miami's Men Of Teal Prevailed 22 - 9! The Victory propels the Dolphins to 6 - 4 overall with a 5 - 2 Conference record which is presently second best to only Denver's present 5 - 1 AFC head to head status. The loss drops Buffalo to the AFC's eleventh seed of sixteen teams, where Miami might have ended up.
Wheeeewww!
Instead. Miami is hot on the tail of the current 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th seeds, whom with losses this coming weekend the Dolphins can pull even with, if not ahead of. Your Miami Dolphins have now won five of their last seven games with only two last second heartbreak losses to powerhouse NFC offenses detouring the flow.
The Bills have one of the leagues best defensive fronts and humiliated the Dolphins 29 - 10 during the week two head to head in Buffalo. In week 11 (due to injury) Miami was forced to start three offensive lineman at positions that they hadn't started at the previous week, (if ever). Yards were hard to come by, and it seemed that every time the Dolphins made a prosperous play something would happen to nullify the advantage. It appeared as though every first half inch gained for the Dolphins was highly contested while Buffalo was rhythmically running around on the wide open plains. On top of that. The Dolphins tried their best to lose this game in the first half with a fumble, and penalties that killed the few momentous Miami moments.
Jarvis Landry returned the opening kickoff 37 yards, and a return team holding penalty put the ball at the home teams 12 yard line. In order to nullify the Bill's fearsome front, Miami started out with the quick short passing game on the series first three plays that gathered 25 yards, and drove to the visitors 33 before a first down sack of Ryan Tannehill at the Bills 45 followed by negative 2 yard rush attempt. With a 3rd down and 24 on Miami's opening possession the game was already looking too much like the previous meeting between the two teams, but a perfectly thrown short pass, and one handed grab up the seam to tail back Damien Williams in stride netted 32 yards for a first down at Buffalo's 15 yard line. Another pass to Williams took it to the nine while a penalty on the next play pushed the ball back to the 19 where the series stalled. Tannehill went 8 of 9 for 80 passing yards to five different receivers, and the Dolphins kicked a 38 yard field goal after controlling the opening possession for 8:20 on 14 plays for 68 net yards as Miami took a 3 - 0 lead.
Buffalo ate up all but 13 seconds that remained of the first quarter with a series of 14 plays for 67 yards and a 33 yard field goal of their own for a 3 - 3 tie.
Miami's Lamar Miller rushed for forty yards (7, 33) on two plays, and Brian Hartline caught a pass for 17 yards to the Bills 14. On first down a scrambling for yardage Tannehill was stripped of the ball from behind for Buffalo's first forced turnover of the day which ended the momentum gathering Dolphin drive of 67 yards in six plays for zero points. Ryan's fumble 2:10 into the second quarter was his first in over a year (19 games), it was the Dolphins fifth red zone turnover of the 2014 season (most in the league), Arrrghh!
The Bills march 85 yards on 17 plays in 9 minutes and 24 seconds to kick a momentum swinging field goal. The Dolphins aren't able to answer on 9 plays of 39 yards to the visitors 41, punts, and the Bills take a knee to end the first half of play with a scoreboard advantage of 6 - 3.
Tannehill is 14 of 18 for 136 yards with a fumble, and is sacked twice, Buffalo's Kyle Orton has yet to be swarmed. Miami has totaled 174 yards with 53 rushing to Buffalo's 151, and 51 on the ground. The Dolphins have converted 50% of their 3rd down plays while Buffalo has been successful 75% of the time. Miami is losing the time of possession (13:37 to 16:23), and turnover (0 - 1) battles.
2014's Miami Dolphins (for the most part) have been a slow starting, feel the opponent out, first half counter puncher. Unlike the 2013 Dolphins. Miami's o14 team has become a third quarter terror in leading the league at half time adjustments that have resulted in the leagues highest third quarter scoring output, as well as league leaders in allowing the opponents lowest rate of points produced. This Thursday Night Debut would be no different!
Buffalo received the third quarters opening kickoff, and Miami's defense forced a three and out of 3 yards gained. The Dolphin offense gains a first down on three plays before a false start penalty, and third sack of Tannehill leads to a second and 25. Miami punts two plays later as Buffalo takes possession at their own 23 yard line. The Bills drive 49 yards in eight plays to the Dolphins 28 for a 46 yard field goal, and 9 - 3 visitors lead.
Now the Dolphins are pissed off with 6:26 third quarter ticks of the clock to go, and are suddenly inspired to showoff their second half prowess. From their own 20, Miami drives 80 yards on 9 plays in four minutes 8 seconds. Lamar Miller rushes the ball three times for 21 yards while Tannehill completes 5 of 6 for 59 yards to three different receivers (Landry 11 & 5, Charles Clay for five, and the biggie to Hartline on a crossing route catch and run of thirty-one yards) to the Buffalo 16. Ryan caps the drive with a brilliant fake pitch left, roll out right to find a wide open Brandon Gibson in the end zone for the games first TOUCHDOWN, and Miami lead of 10 - 9.
The visitors second 3rd third quarter series goes three and out for negative 20 yards, and ends on a second and twenty intentional grounding penalty from within the end zone for a Dolphin defensive safety, and two more points for the good guys at 12 - 9. with 57 third quarter seconds remaining.
Mann Ohh Mann the momentum had swung, and things are looking good! The Dolphins have again outscored the opponents in the third quarter, this time by a score of 9 - 3, and they are about to get the ball back due to the forced safety. Dooahh. Upon the free kick Jarvis Landry returns the ball 21 yards to the Miami 39 but bobbles away the Dolphins second turnover of the day, and the mirage of momentum has disappeared yet again.
Buffalo is down by three points, and has a first down at the Miami 39 yard line. On first down they gain 10 yards for another first down at the Dolphins 29. Three plays later for minus one yard, and (two plays into the fourth quarter). Ex Dolphin Dan Carpenter was up to the tricks he excelled at while with Miami, in (turning momentum against the team he plays for) with a wide left field goal kick on Buffalo's attempted tie of the game. The Carpenters warped hammer keeps the game in Miami's favor at 12 - 9.
From the Dolphins 29 Lamar Miller runs three times for 14 yards, Tannehill completes a 12 yard pass to Clay, and Miami gets a 24 yard defensive pass interference upon Mike Wallace called in their favor for a first down at the Bills 13 yard line. Daniel Thomas rushes for five yards on first down, on second down Ryan Tannehill connects with Jarvis Landry for an 8 yard TOUCHDOWN, and Miami Dolphins 19 - 9 scoreboard advantage 2:25 into the fourth quarter.
During a 5 minute 43 second span between the 2:18 remaining in the third quarter mark, and 3:25 into the fourth quarter, The Miami Dolphins scored 16 unanswered points!
Buffalo had three fourth quarter possessions for 33 total yards on 13 total plays. While harassing Kyle Orton over the majority of the games second half, the Miami defense accrued it's only two sacks on the visitors final two series of four plays each. Your Dolphins sealed the game with a 32 yard field goal that took place between the Bills final two possessions that were both turned over on downs, and THE MIAMI DOLPHINS WIN 22 - 9!
Miami converted twenty four first downs to Buffalo's thirteen, 125 rushing yards to 54, 240 passing yards to 183, for a total yardage advantage of 330 to 237, and held possession of the ball for nearly 5 minutes more than the opponent.
Lamar Miller had 15 rush attempts for 86 yards.
Though he was sacked five times by Buffalo's vaunted front seven, Ryan Tannehill went 26 of 34 for 240 passing yards, with two touchdowns (Landry & Gibson), and zero interceptions with yet another game above the century mark, and overall quarter back grade of 114.8. Tannehill has 17 touchdowns to 7 interception's on the year.
Injured Courtland Finnegans replacement Jamar Taylor led the Dolphins in tackles with seven solo, and shinning again was Earl Mitchell and Olivier Vernon with sacks of the opposing quarterback.
WAYYY TO GO DOLPHINS,
THANK YOU FOR A MUST WIN THAT ENDED IN VICTORY FORMATION!!
YEEEE HAAAA, WOOOO HOOOOO, GIGGITTY!!
Thank You for an Open-Minded Read, and we look forward to your angle of view : )) !!
GOFINS!!!
Miami's Men Of Teal Prevailed 22 - 9! The Victory propels the Dolphins to 6 - 4 overall with a 5 - 2 Conference record which is presently second best to only Denver's present 5 - 1 AFC head to head status. The loss drops Buffalo to the AFC's eleventh seed of sixteen teams, where Miami might have ended up.
Wheeeewww!
Instead. Miami is hot on the tail of the current 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th seeds, whom with losses this coming weekend the Dolphins can pull even with, if not ahead of. Your Miami Dolphins have now won five of their last seven games with only two last second heartbreak losses to powerhouse NFC offenses detouring the flow.
The Bills have one of the leagues best defensive fronts and humiliated the Dolphins 29 - 10 during the week two head to head in Buffalo. In week 11 (due to injury) Miami was forced to start three offensive lineman at positions that they hadn't started at the previous week, (if ever). Yards were hard to come by, and it seemed that every time the Dolphins made a prosperous play something would happen to nullify the advantage. It appeared as though every first half inch gained for the Dolphins was highly contested while Buffalo was rhythmically running around on the wide open plains. On top of that. The Dolphins tried their best to lose this game in the first half with a fumble, and penalties that killed the few momentous Miami moments.
Jarvis Landry returned the opening kickoff 37 yards, and a return team holding penalty put the ball at the home teams 12 yard line. In order to nullify the Bill's fearsome front, Miami started out with the quick short passing game on the series first three plays that gathered 25 yards, and drove to the visitors 33 before a first down sack of Ryan Tannehill at the Bills 45 followed by negative 2 yard rush attempt. With a 3rd down and 24 on Miami's opening possession the game was already looking too much like the previous meeting between the two teams, but a perfectly thrown short pass, and one handed grab up the seam to tail back Damien Williams in stride netted 32 yards for a first down at Buffalo's 15 yard line. Another pass to Williams took it to the nine while a penalty on the next play pushed the ball back to the 19 where the series stalled. Tannehill went 8 of 9 for 80 passing yards to five different receivers, and the Dolphins kicked a 38 yard field goal after controlling the opening possession for 8:20 on 14 plays for 68 net yards as Miami took a 3 - 0 lead.
Buffalo ate up all but 13 seconds that remained of the first quarter with a series of 14 plays for 67 yards and a 33 yard field goal of their own for a 3 - 3 tie.
Miami's Lamar Miller rushed for forty yards (7, 33) on two plays, and Brian Hartline caught a pass for 17 yards to the Bills 14. On first down a scrambling for yardage Tannehill was stripped of the ball from behind for Buffalo's first forced turnover of the day which ended the momentum gathering Dolphin drive of 67 yards in six plays for zero points. Ryan's fumble 2:10 into the second quarter was his first in over a year (19 games), it was the Dolphins fifth red zone turnover of the 2014 season (most in the league), Arrrghh!
The Bills march 85 yards on 17 plays in 9 minutes and 24 seconds to kick a momentum swinging field goal. The Dolphins aren't able to answer on 9 plays of 39 yards to the visitors 41, punts, and the Bills take a knee to end the first half of play with a scoreboard advantage of 6 - 3.
Tannehill is 14 of 18 for 136 yards with a fumble, and is sacked twice, Buffalo's Kyle Orton has yet to be swarmed. Miami has totaled 174 yards with 53 rushing to Buffalo's 151, and 51 on the ground. The Dolphins have converted 50% of their 3rd down plays while Buffalo has been successful 75% of the time. Miami is losing the time of possession (13:37 to 16:23), and turnover (0 - 1) battles.
2014's Miami Dolphins (for the most part) have been a slow starting, feel the opponent out, first half counter puncher. Unlike the 2013 Dolphins. Miami's o14 team has become a third quarter terror in leading the league at half time adjustments that have resulted in the leagues highest third quarter scoring output, as well as league leaders in allowing the opponents lowest rate of points produced. This Thursday Night Debut would be no different!
Buffalo received the third quarters opening kickoff, and Miami's defense forced a three and out of 3 yards gained. The Dolphin offense gains a first down on three plays before a false start penalty, and third sack of Tannehill leads to a second and 25. Miami punts two plays later as Buffalo takes possession at their own 23 yard line. The Bills drive 49 yards in eight plays to the Dolphins 28 for a 46 yard field goal, and 9 - 3 visitors lead.
The visitors second 3rd third quarter series goes three and out for negative 20 yards, and ends on a second and twenty intentional grounding penalty from within the end zone for a Dolphin defensive safety, and two more points for the good guys at 12 - 9. with 57 third quarter seconds remaining.
Mann Ohh Mann the momentum had swung, and things are looking good! The Dolphins have again outscored the opponents in the third quarter, this time by a score of 9 - 3, and they are about to get the ball back due to the forced safety. Dooahh. Upon the free kick Jarvis Landry returns the ball 21 yards to the Miami 39 but bobbles away the Dolphins second turnover of the day, and the mirage of momentum has disappeared yet again.
Buffalo is down by three points, and has a first down at the Miami 39 yard line. On first down they gain 10 yards for another first down at the Dolphins 29. Three plays later for minus one yard, and (two plays into the fourth quarter). Ex Dolphin Dan Carpenter was up to the tricks he excelled at while with Miami, in (turning momentum against the team he plays for) with a wide left field goal kick on Buffalo's attempted tie of the game. The Carpenters warped hammer keeps the game in Miami's favor at 12 - 9.
During a 5 minute 43 second span between the 2:18 remaining in the third quarter mark, and 3:25 into the fourth quarter, The Miami Dolphins scored 16 unanswered points!
Buffalo had three fourth quarter possessions for 33 total yards on 13 total plays. While harassing Kyle Orton over the majority of the games second half, the Miami defense accrued it's only two sacks on the visitors final two series of four plays each. Your Dolphins sealed the game with a 32 yard field goal that took place between the Bills final two possessions that were both turned over on downs, and THE MIAMI DOLPHINS WIN 22 - 9!
Miami converted twenty four first downs to Buffalo's thirteen, 125 rushing yards to 54, 240 passing yards to 183, for a total yardage advantage of 330 to 237, and held possession of the ball for nearly 5 minutes more than the opponent.
Lamar Miller had 15 rush attempts for 86 yards.
Though he was sacked five times by Buffalo's vaunted front seven, Ryan Tannehill went 26 of 34 for 240 passing yards, with two touchdowns (Landry & Gibson), and zero interceptions with yet another game above the century mark, and overall quarter back grade of 114.8. Tannehill has 17 touchdowns to 7 interception's on the year.
Injured Courtland Finnegans replacement Jamar Taylor led the Dolphins in tackles with seven solo, and shinning again was Earl Mitchell and Olivier Vernon with sacks of the opposing quarterback.
WAYYY TO GO DOLPHINS,
THANK YOU FOR A MUST WIN THAT ENDED IN VICTORY FORMATION!!
YEEEE HAAAA, WOOOO HOOOOO, GIGGITTY!!
Thank You for an Open-Minded Read, and we look forward to your angle of view : )) !!
GOFINS!!!
Miami Dolphins 37 - 0 Surge Short Circuits Chargers
Through eight 2014 NFL games the 5 - 3, and AFC fifth seeded San Diego Chargers went south to face the 4 - 3 Miami Dolphins.
Miami has the Dolphins (your favorite) football team, they're moving the ball from goal to goal like (no one since thirteen), whether through the air or on the ground they've been (often) in control, and when you say Miami you're talking (on a roll)!!
Cuz we're the Miami Dolphins, Miami Dolphins, Miami Dolphins Number One !!
Today.
The Dolphins splashed about the confines of their Miami aquarium, and doused the highly explosive power grid that is the Chargers. San Diego's quarterback Phillip Rivers came into the day with the leagues third most touchdown passes (20), and only five interceptions thrown while the Charger superstar tight end Antonio Gates entered the game with nine scores in just eight games.
In case the title to this piece moistened your eye's to a blur?
The Miami Dolphins started fast, finished strong, and won the game THIRTY SEVEN to ZERO!
Since the return of starting safety Rashad Jones four games ago, the Miami defense has been catapulted to an elite level, and versus the Chargers they were even better. Rashad Jones has led the team in tackles in all four weeks since his return, and contributed an interception on this day, (his second of the season). For the second consecutive game corner back Brent Grimes had an interception, this time he had two for a season total of four to go along with a pik-six last week, and the Dolphins have six interceptions over the last three games with nine for the season.
Miami has four sacks in two successive outings with eleven over the last three games. Randy Starks set the tone early with a sack of the nearly elite Phillip Rivers on the games very first offensive play for a loss of three yards. The first, and lone substantial San Diego drive of the day covered fifty seven yards in twelve plays only to end on a fourth and one (Rashad Jones) stuff of the running back at the Dolphin twenty three yard line.
The Chargers second possession went three and out for nine yards. Rashad Jones had his interception on the first play of the visitors third touch of the ball. San Diego's fourth series went five and out for sixteen yards which happened to be identical to their fifth and final first half possession. For the first half of play, the Chargers offensive unit snapped the ball twenty five times for ninety eight yards, and ZERO POINTS in five possessions!
On six second half series, San Diego ran twenty four plays for forty eight yards, and ZERO POINTS! Their first second half possession went seventeen yards on six plays, and ended upon Brent Grimes' first interception of the day that he returned twenty six yards to the Chargers nineteen.
The Miami defense splashed again on the visitors following three and out for six yards touch of the ball. Defensive Lineman (Earl Mitchell) got his first sack of the season for a loss of eight yards, and a second Brent Grimes interception of an attempted bomb ended the series on second and eighteen.
Upon the high voltage Chargers third second half possession that netted one yard on three plays, Olivier Vernon executed a third and nine sack and a forced fumble via Rivers that Jared Odrick recovered at the Chargers fourteen.
Charger quarterback Phillip Rivers is benched with 120 third quarter ticks of the clock remaining. Kellen Clemons replaces the near elite Rivers for the Chargers final three possessions of the game, and is greeted by Cam Wake on third and five of a four play for one yard series that ended the third quarter. For the visitors two fourth quarter possessions they ran eight plays for twenty three yards, and ZERO POINTS!
And that's the way it ended, hail to the Miami Dolphin Defense.
Ohh-Wait, Almost forgot.
The Dolphin Offense splashed about through electrified hoops too!
ZERO to ZERO with 7:36 remaining in the first quarter. Miami's first possession with a first down ball at their own twenty three. On consecutive plays that started with a Jarvis Landry reception for nine yards, Lamar Miller run for seven, Charles Clay catch for twenty four, Miller rush for five, Mike Wallace grab for five, Landry for thirteen, Miller run for six, Brian Hartline reception for six, and a Miller rush for one to San Diego's six yard line. The ten play's in 5:56, seventy seven yard drive ended with a Charles Clay six yard TOUCHDOWN from Ryan Tannehill who went six of six for sixty three passing yards, and a Miami Dolphin first quarter lead of Seven to ZERO!
Next Miami possession takes 3:42 to "matriculate" sixty one yards in eight plays. First and ten at the Dolphins thirty nine, Tannehill up the middle for four yards. Following a second down and six incompletion/drop, Tannehill hits Landry for seven, then Clay for another eighteen. On first and ten from the Chargers thirty two Tannehill runs around the right end for twenty two yards and another first down, then hits Miller for an eight yard reception. Third and two from San Diego's two yard line, Lamar Miller TOUCHDOWN for a home team early second quarter advantage of Fourteen to ZERO!
Following the Rashad Jones pick on the visitors third series of one play. The Dolphins have the ball at the Chargers thirty one yard line, they gather a first down on first down with a twenty one yard reception and run for reserve running back Damien Williams to the opponents ten. The series stalls with an incompletion to Brandon Gibson (who was dragging a defender), a Williams rush for nadda, as well as a two yard pass to the running back. Miami kicks a twenty six yard field goal for a Seventeen to ZERO game six minutes into the second quarter.
The Chargers go three and out. Miami takes possession at the Dolphin thirty with 7:23 remaining in the first half. Daniel Thomas shakes and bakes a one yard reception for twelve, and on the Dolphins second third down attempt of the drive Tannehill hits Wallace for thirty eight yards to the San Diego six. They pass on first down to Thomas for two yards, but a negative rush attempt, and an incompletion results in an eleven play, sixty three yard drive in 5:36 for a twenty five yard field goal which puts the home team lead at Twenty to ZERO.
Miami gets the ball one last time in the first half with 1:03 to go. They drive forty eight yards in eight plays from their own twenty four to the San Diego twenty eight, but miss the forty five yard field goal attempt as the clock runs out with a Miami Dolphin scoreboard advantage of Twenty to ZERO!
The Dolphins have accrued 283 total yards (208 passing, 75 rushing on 13 attempts). Ryan Tannehill is 18 of 25 for 208 to seven different receivers. The Chargers have 118 total yards (14 rushing). Miami's defense has one sack, and one interception.
Third Quarter. Miami ball, first down at their own twenty eight, Tannehill to Hartline for eighteen. On the drives third first down play Tannehill runs around the left end for eleven more first down yards, and on second and ten Miller rushes for fourteen yards and the drives fifth first down opportunity at the Chargers twenty one. Second and ten, Tannehill eludes a fierce sack attack, gets creative in extending the play for an end zone TOUCHDOWN pass to Rishard Matthews, and Twenty Seven to ZERO Dolphin lead.
Brent Grimes' first interception occurs on the Chargers following possession, and Miami has the ball at the visitors nineteen yard line. Tannehill goes one for three, the Dolphins cover fourteen yards on six plays, and kick a twenty three yard field goal for a Thirty to ZERO score.
A first down Earl Mitchell sack is immediately followed by a second Brent Grimes interception, this one was of the long bomb variety, and Miami takes control at their own twenty nine. On first down Tannehill completes a pass of eleven yards to Clay, The Dolphin then take the conservative route with three rushes for nine yards, and with 2:53 remaining in the third quarter Brandon Fields has his first and only punt of the day.
Charger ball at their own eleven, third down and nine, Olivier Vernon sacks and forces a Phillip Rivers fumble that is recovered by Jared Odrick at the San Diego fourteen yard line. Miami ball, first and ten. Ryan Tannehill completes short pass to Jarvis Landry who tip-toes down the sideline while towing a double-wide Charger trailer for another Miami Dolphin TOUCHDOWN, and THIRTY SEVEN to ZERO scoreboard final!`
With two third quarter minutes remaining Phillip Rivers is benched. Kellen Clemons reluctantly replaces him and is greeted by Cam Wake for minus five yards on third and five. The sack was Miami's fourth and final of the day, and the third quarter ended upon the punt.
With a Thirty Seven to ZERO Dolphin Victory in hand!
The Miami Dolphins Franchise Quarterback Ryan Tannehill is sat down in order to preserve his health. Not a whole lot took place in the fourth quarter, though Matt Moore did drive the team forty six yards into the Chargers red zone, as Miami exhibited professional courtesy in turning the ball over on downs rather than taking a chip shot field goal of the rub it in your face variety with 26 ticks of the clock to go.
Miami ran 74 plays to accrue 441 yards for a six yard per play average via (309 passing on 39 attempts, and 132 rushing in 35 carries) with 28 first downs (17 through the air, and 10 via the rush) in 36:07. San Diego had 49 plays for 178 yards (128 passing, and 50 on the ground) in 23:53. The Dolphin Defense had four sacks, a forced fumble, and three interceptions.
Lamar Miller ran 11 times for 49 yards with a touchdown, and Tannehill had 4 attempts for 47 yards. Charles Clay led the receiving game with 5 catches for 65 yards and a touchdown while others were also equal to the task. To name a few of the nine different receivers that Tannehill connected with. Hartline had 5 for 50, Wallace snagged 3 for 50, Landry caught 5 for 46 with a touchdown, and Rishard Matthews had one reception for 21 yards and a touchdown.
Ryan Tannehill had his career day two weeks ago in Chicago. Today he eclipsed that performance while going 24 of 34 for 288 yards with three touchdowns, zero interceptions, zero sacks, and a QBR of 94.5 with an overall RTG of 125.6. He has fourteen touchdowns to six interceptions on the year, and the Miami Dolphins are 5 - 3 at the mid season point.
Thank You for an Open Minded Read, and we look forward to your angle of view : )) !!
THIRTY SEVEN to ZERO, GIGGGITTTYYY!!
Beat The Lions!!
GOFINS!!!
Miami has the Dolphins (your favorite) football team, they're moving the ball from goal to goal like (no one since thirteen), whether through the air or on the ground they've been (often) in control, and when you say Miami you're talking (on a roll)!!
Cuz we're the Miami Dolphins, Miami Dolphins, Miami Dolphins Number One !!
Today.
The Dolphins splashed about the confines of their Miami aquarium, and doused the highly explosive power grid that is the Chargers. San Diego's quarterback Phillip Rivers came into the day with the leagues third most touchdown passes (20), and only five interceptions thrown while the Charger superstar tight end Antonio Gates entered the game with nine scores in just eight games.
In case the title to this piece moistened your eye's to a blur?
The Miami Dolphins started fast, finished strong, and won the game THIRTY SEVEN to ZERO!
Since the return of starting safety Rashad Jones four games ago, the Miami defense has been catapulted to an elite level, and versus the Chargers they were even better. Rashad Jones has led the team in tackles in all four weeks since his return, and contributed an interception on this day, (his second of the season). For the second consecutive game corner back Brent Grimes had an interception, this time he had two for a season total of four to go along with a pik-six last week, and the Dolphins have six interceptions over the last three games with nine for the season.
Miami has four sacks in two successive outings with eleven over the last three games. Randy Starks set the tone early with a sack of the nearly elite Phillip Rivers on the games very first offensive play for a loss of three yards. The first, and lone substantial San Diego drive of the day covered fifty seven yards in twelve plays only to end on a fourth and one (Rashad Jones) stuff of the running back at the Dolphin twenty three yard line.
The Chargers second possession went three and out for nine yards. Rashad Jones had his interception on the first play of the visitors third touch of the ball. San Diego's fourth series went five and out for sixteen yards which happened to be identical to their fifth and final first half possession. For the first half of play, the Chargers offensive unit snapped the ball twenty five times for ninety eight yards, and ZERO POINTS in five possessions!
On six second half series, San Diego ran twenty four plays for forty eight yards, and ZERO POINTS! Their first second half possession went seventeen yards on six plays, and ended upon Brent Grimes' first interception of the day that he returned twenty six yards to the Chargers nineteen.
The Miami defense splashed again on the visitors following three and out for six yards touch of the ball. Defensive Lineman (Earl Mitchell) got his first sack of the season for a loss of eight yards, and a second Brent Grimes interception of an attempted bomb ended the series on second and eighteen.
Upon the high voltage Chargers third second half possession that netted one yard on three plays, Olivier Vernon executed a third and nine sack and a forced fumble via Rivers that Jared Odrick recovered at the Chargers fourteen.
Charger quarterback Phillip Rivers is benched with 120 third quarter ticks of the clock remaining. Kellen Clemons replaces the near elite Rivers for the Chargers final three possessions of the game, and is greeted by Cam Wake on third and five of a four play for one yard series that ended the third quarter. For the visitors two fourth quarter possessions they ran eight plays for twenty three yards, and ZERO POINTS!
And that's the way it ended, hail to the Miami Dolphin Defense.
Ohh-Wait, Almost forgot.
The Dolphin Offense splashed about through electrified hoops too!
ZERO to ZERO with 7:36 remaining in the first quarter. Miami's first possession with a first down ball at their own twenty three. On consecutive plays that started with a Jarvis Landry reception for nine yards, Lamar Miller run for seven, Charles Clay catch for twenty four, Miller rush for five, Mike Wallace grab for five, Landry for thirteen, Miller run for six, Brian Hartline reception for six, and a Miller rush for one to San Diego's six yard line. The ten play's in 5:56, seventy seven yard drive ended with a Charles Clay six yard TOUCHDOWN from Ryan Tannehill who went six of six for sixty three passing yards, and a Miami Dolphin first quarter lead of Seven to ZERO!
Next Miami possession takes 3:42 to "matriculate" sixty one yards in eight plays. First and ten at the Dolphins thirty nine, Tannehill up the middle for four yards. Following a second down and six incompletion/drop, Tannehill hits Landry for seven, then Clay for another eighteen. On first and ten from the Chargers thirty two Tannehill runs around the right end for twenty two yards and another first down, then hits Miller for an eight yard reception. Third and two from San Diego's two yard line, Lamar Miller TOUCHDOWN for a home team early second quarter advantage of Fourteen to ZERO!
Following the Rashad Jones pick on the visitors third series of one play. The Dolphins have the ball at the Chargers thirty one yard line, they gather a first down on first down with a twenty one yard reception and run for reserve running back Damien Williams to the opponents ten. The series stalls with an incompletion to Brandon Gibson (who was dragging a defender), a Williams rush for nadda, as well as a two yard pass to the running back. Miami kicks a twenty six yard field goal for a Seventeen to ZERO game six minutes into the second quarter.
The Chargers go three and out. Miami takes possession at the Dolphin thirty with 7:23 remaining in the first half. Daniel Thomas shakes and bakes a one yard reception for twelve, and on the Dolphins second third down attempt of the drive Tannehill hits Wallace for thirty eight yards to the San Diego six. They pass on first down to Thomas for two yards, but a negative rush attempt, and an incompletion results in an eleven play, sixty three yard drive in 5:36 for a twenty five yard field goal which puts the home team lead at Twenty to ZERO.
Miami gets the ball one last time in the first half with 1:03 to go. They drive forty eight yards in eight plays from their own twenty four to the San Diego twenty eight, but miss the forty five yard field goal attempt as the clock runs out with a Miami Dolphin scoreboard advantage of Twenty to ZERO!
The Dolphins have accrued 283 total yards (208 passing, 75 rushing on 13 attempts). Ryan Tannehill is 18 of 25 for 208 to seven different receivers. The Chargers have 118 total yards (14 rushing). Miami's defense has one sack, and one interception.
Third Quarter. Miami ball, first down at their own twenty eight, Tannehill to Hartline for eighteen. On the drives third first down play Tannehill runs around the left end for eleven more first down yards, and on second and ten Miller rushes for fourteen yards and the drives fifth first down opportunity at the Chargers twenty one. Second and ten, Tannehill eludes a fierce sack attack, gets creative in extending the play for an end zone TOUCHDOWN pass to Rishard Matthews, and Twenty Seven to ZERO Dolphin lead.
Brent Grimes' first interception occurs on the Chargers following possession, and Miami has the ball at the visitors nineteen yard line. Tannehill goes one for three, the Dolphins cover fourteen yards on six plays, and kick a twenty three yard field goal for a Thirty to ZERO score.
A first down Earl Mitchell sack is immediately followed by a second Brent Grimes interception, this one was of the long bomb variety, and Miami takes control at their own twenty nine. On first down Tannehill completes a pass of eleven yards to Clay, The Dolphin then take the conservative route with three rushes for nine yards, and with 2:53 remaining in the third quarter Brandon Fields has his first and only punt of the day.
Charger ball at their own eleven, third down and nine, Olivier Vernon sacks and forces a Phillip Rivers fumble that is recovered by Jared Odrick at the San Diego fourteen yard line. Miami ball, first and ten. Ryan Tannehill completes short pass to Jarvis Landry who tip-toes down the sideline while towing a double-wide Charger trailer for another Miami Dolphin TOUCHDOWN, and THIRTY SEVEN to ZERO scoreboard final!`
With two third quarter minutes remaining Phillip Rivers is benched. Kellen Clemons reluctantly replaces him and is greeted by Cam Wake for minus five yards on third and five. The sack was Miami's fourth and final of the day, and the third quarter ended upon the punt.
With a Thirty Seven to ZERO Dolphin Victory in hand!
The Miami Dolphins Franchise Quarterback Ryan Tannehill is sat down in order to preserve his health. Not a whole lot took place in the fourth quarter, though Matt Moore did drive the team forty six yards into the Chargers red zone, as Miami exhibited professional courtesy in turning the ball over on downs rather than taking a chip shot field goal of the rub it in your face variety with 26 ticks of the clock to go.
Miami ran 74 plays to accrue 441 yards for a six yard per play average via (309 passing on 39 attempts, and 132 rushing in 35 carries) with 28 first downs (17 through the air, and 10 via the rush) in 36:07. San Diego had 49 plays for 178 yards (128 passing, and 50 on the ground) in 23:53. The Dolphin Defense had four sacks, a forced fumble, and three interceptions.
Lamar Miller ran 11 times for 49 yards with a touchdown, and Tannehill had 4 attempts for 47 yards. Charles Clay led the receiving game with 5 catches for 65 yards and a touchdown while others were also equal to the task. To name a few of the nine different receivers that Tannehill connected with. Hartline had 5 for 50, Wallace snagged 3 for 50, Landry caught 5 for 46 with a touchdown, and Rishard Matthews had one reception for 21 yards and a touchdown.
Ryan Tannehill had his career day two weeks ago in Chicago. Today he eclipsed that performance while going 24 of 34 for 288 yards with three touchdowns, zero interceptions, zero sacks, and a QBR of 94.5 with an overall RTG of 125.6. He has fourteen touchdowns to six interceptions on the year, and the Miami Dolphins are 5 - 3 at the mid season point.
Thank You for an Open Minded Read, and we look forward to your angle of view : )) !!
THIRTY SEVEN to ZERO, GIGGGITTTYYY!!
Beat The Lions!!
GOFINS!!!
Dolphins Defense Take Jaguars To The House
The 1 - 6 with nothing to lose Jacksonville Jaguars played territorial Tom-Cat while hosting the 3 - 3 Miami Dolphins on week eight of the 2014 season. Jacksonville's NFL number two ranked in defensive sacks Jaguars put the Dolphin quarterback upon his buttocks once in each of his two first quarter possessions that went three and out. Miami's third touch of the ball was also a three and out, but at least quarterback Ryan Tannehill wasn't sacked due to an Offensive Lineman getting schooled.
Jacksonville opened the game with 45 yards rushing on the first two plays from their own 20. They accrued fifty yards in all on five plays in two and a half minutes as Miami's defense forced a fourth and five field goal attempt from the Dolphins thirty yard line. The attempt was then blocked by rising star Olivier Vernon, gathered in at Miami's twenty five by defensive back Mike Thomas who returned it to the Dolphins forty three, and just missed by the width of his foot from taking it to the end zone.
Following Miami's initial possession. Jacksonville took five minutes in covering forty six yards on eleven plays to Miami's twenty eight. On fourth and four the Jags made a forty six yard field goal that was nullified by an offensive holding penalty, and was inclined to punt on fourth and fourteen.
The Dolphins were badly losing the game of field position after a second sack induced hot-potato like possession of three and out, this time from their own nine yard line. Jacksonville took possession one yard south into Miami territory, gathered a first down on four running plays for ten yards, and covered another sixteen yards on two eight yard passes to the Dolphins twenty three for another Jaguars first down to end the first quarter at zero to zero.
On the first play of the second quarter the Miami Dolphins free agent acquisition of Louis Delmas paid off with an interception return of eighty one yards, and a DOLPHIN PIK-SIX TOUCHDOWN for a 7 - 0 lead versus the Jaguars rookie quarterback sensation Blake Bortles.
On fourteen plays for sixty six yards in another eight plus minutes of the second quarter the Jaguars drove to the Miami twelve where they kicked a field goal on fourth and two. Jacksonville accrued four first downs on the drive, ate up a whole bunch of clock, while the Dolphins reserve linebacker Jonathan Freeny managed a sack, and Miami remained ahead by a score of 7 - 3.
As previously mentioned the Dolphins third (clearing of throat) series also resulted in another Miami offensive three and out, this time for minus four yards from their own twenty two yard line, and Jacksonville was back at the Dolphins forty with a first down after just one offensive play. On second and seven Blake Bortles scrambled for nine yards and a first down prior to Dolphin linebacker Jelani Jenkins forcing of a fumble that was recovered by safety Louis Delmas at the Miami twenty three.
Hallelujah. The Miami Dolphins gain thirteen yards in two plays for their initial first down of the game with three minutes and twelve seconds remaining in the first half of play. Miami proceeds fifty two yards on eleven plays for a forty six yard field goal with fifty eight seconds remaining. Cam Wake sacked Bortles on first and ten of the Jags final first half possession, and the clock hits zero upon the completion of second down which results in a Dolphin 10 - 3 half time lead.
The Jacksonville Jaguars hold a twelve plus minute Time Of Possession advantage, are up eleven to one in first downs gathered, and have accrued 219 Offensive yards to the Miami Dolphins fifty six. Blake Bortles (two sacks) goes 10 of 17 for 108 with a pik-six and a fumble as the Jaguar running backs contribute the other 100 plus yards. Ryan Tannehill while being hindered by (two sacks), and dropped balls as well as errant tosses under pressure is 5 of 12 for 41 yards with fourteen of Miami's fifteen rushing yards coming via his own two attempts. The Home team is winning in the trenches while losing on the scoreboard 10 - 3.
Third Quarter, Miami gets the opening kick.
New Game? Uh Nope. Maybe?
Ryan completes a first and ten attempt for eleven yards to Jarvis Landry from the Miami twenty nine, but the possession is again stalled by a third down and long sack of Tannehill. The Dolphins punt from their own thirty and the Jags take control with a first down at their own seven yard line.
Can you say Grimes To'Da'House? On first down Miami Cornerback Brent Grimes returns a Blake Bortles interception twenty two yards for a second M.D.House-Call, and another defensive TOUCHDOWN for a 17 - 3 Dolphin lead.
The Jaguars from their own twenty progress down the field in ten plays for fifty eight yards to the Dolphin twenty two, and kick's a forty yard field goal on fourth and three to scratch their way to within 17 - 6. Miami then follows up with yet another three and out which is proceeded by a Jacksonville six and out of twelve yards gained. The Dolphins halted the Jags series via a Rashad Jones sack of Bortles on third and ten at the opponents forty nine yard line.
Miami takes possession at their own five yard line upon the Jaguars punt. Lamar Miller nets three yards on two attempts, and on third and seven Ryan Tannehill completes a fifty yard pass (sixty-plus through the air) to Mike Wallace at the oppositions forty two. After an incompletion to Wallace on first down, Miller rushes for nine and thirty yards consecutively to the Jaguars three yard line. On first and goal Ryan Tannehill hits Rishard Matthews for the Dolphins only offensive TOUCHDOWN. The drive covered ninety five yards in seven plays and gave Miami a 24 - 6 scoreboard advantage with 2:18 remaining in the third quarter.
The Jaguars go three and out as Miami starts the fourth quarter with a second down and ten from their own thirty two yard line. Daniel Thomas runs for eleven yards on two attempts, while Tannehill completes five of six passes for forty seven yards and a first and goal opportunity at the Jacksonville five yard line. At this point after driving sixty three yards in ten plays, the Miami offensive coordinator Bill Lazor put his quarterback in a position of failure with a call of a short middle pass that was deflected up at the line of scrimmage and intercepted in the End Zone. Sorry, but on first and goal from the opponents five yard line with a 24 - 6 fourth quarter lead you run the ball four times, or kick a field goal on the fourth play! You DO NOT call for a first down pass attempt through the trenches mass of waving arms!
Aided by another third down sack of Bortles (via Terrance Fede) Miami's defense forced a six and out for eleven yards, and the Dolphins offense took control at their own twenty one after a Jaguars punt with 8:21 fourth quarter clicks to go.
Tannehill went two of three for forty seven yards including a long thirty eight yard completion to Tight End Dion Sims, Lamar Miller rushed for nineteen yards on three carries, and Daniel Thomas had an attempt for seven yards. The possession covered sixty eight yards on nine plays in 4.5 minutes and resulted in a Caleb Sturgis field goal of twenty nine yards and a Miami Dolphins 27 - 6 lead with fewer than four game minutes remaining.
Jacksonville went eighty yards in five plays and scored their only touchdown of the day in garbage time for a final score of DOLPHINS 27 to the JAGUARS 13.
Miami rushed the ball for 133 second half yards to total 148 led by Lamar Millers 14 carries for 78 yards. Ryan Tannehill had five rush attempts for forty eight yards, and ended the day with 16 completions on 29 passes for 196 yards through the air with one touchdown and one interception. Miami narrowed down the twelve plus minute first half time of possession disadvantage to under five minutes, closed the 160 plus total yard first half deficit to 51 yards (377 to 326), and accrued 17 first downs to the Jags 19 by games end. The Dolphins defense sacked Bortles four times, forced him to fumble once, and took him To'Da'House twice.
Thank You for an Open Minded Read, and we look forward to your angle of view :) !!
Beat the Chargers, GOFINS!!!
The 4 - 3 Miami Dolphins host the 5 - 3 San Diego Chargers on week nine and will have to play far more efficiently on both offense and defense in order to have a chance at victory.
Jacksonville opened the game with 45 yards rushing on the first two plays from their own 20. They accrued fifty yards in all on five plays in two and a half minutes as Miami's defense forced a fourth and five field goal attempt from the Dolphins thirty yard line. The attempt was then blocked by rising star Olivier Vernon, gathered in at Miami's twenty five by defensive back Mike Thomas who returned it to the Dolphins forty three, and just missed by the width of his foot from taking it to the end zone.
Following Miami's initial possession. Jacksonville took five minutes in covering forty six yards on eleven plays to Miami's twenty eight. On fourth and four the Jags made a forty six yard field goal that was nullified by an offensive holding penalty, and was inclined to punt on fourth and fourteen.
The Dolphins were badly losing the game of field position after a second sack induced hot-potato like possession of three and out, this time from their own nine yard line. Jacksonville took possession one yard south into Miami territory, gathered a first down on four running plays for ten yards, and covered another sixteen yards on two eight yard passes to the Dolphins twenty three for another Jaguars first down to end the first quarter at zero to zero.
On fourteen plays for sixty six yards in another eight plus minutes of the second quarter the Jaguars drove to the Miami twelve where they kicked a field goal on fourth and two. Jacksonville accrued four first downs on the drive, ate up a whole bunch of clock, while the Dolphins reserve linebacker Jonathan Freeny managed a sack, and Miami remained ahead by a score of 7 - 3.
As previously mentioned the Dolphins third (clearing of throat) series also resulted in another Miami offensive three and out, this time for minus four yards from their own twenty two yard line, and Jacksonville was back at the Dolphins forty with a first down after just one offensive play. On second and seven Blake Bortles scrambled for nine yards and a first down prior to Dolphin linebacker Jelani Jenkins forcing of a fumble that was recovered by safety Louis Delmas at the Miami twenty three.
Hallelujah. The Miami Dolphins gain thirteen yards in two plays for their initial first down of the game with three minutes and twelve seconds remaining in the first half of play. Miami proceeds fifty two yards on eleven plays for a forty six yard field goal with fifty eight seconds remaining. Cam Wake sacked Bortles on first and ten of the Jags final first half possession, and the clock hits zero upon the completion of second down which results in a Dolphin 10 - 3 half time lead.
The Jacksonville Jaguars hold a twelve plus minute Time Of Possession advantage, are up eleven to one in first downs gathered, and have accrued 219 Offensive yards to the Miami Dolphins fifty six. Blake Bortles (two sacks) goes 10 of 17 for 108 with a pik-six and a fumble as the Jaguar running backs contribute the other 100 plus yards. Ryan Tannehill while being hindered by (two sacks), and dropped balls as well as errant tosses under pressure is 5 of 12 for 41 yards with fourteen of Miami's fifteen rushing yards coming via his own two attempts. The Home team is winning in the trenches while losing on the scoreboard 10 - 3.
Third Quarter, Miami gets the opening kick.
New Game? Uh Nope. Maybe?
Ryan completes a first and ten attempt for eleven yards to Jarvis Landry from the Miami twenty nine, but the possession is again stalled by a third down and long sack of Tannehill. The Dolphins punt from their own thirty and the Jags take control with a first down at their own seven yard line.
The Jaguars from their own twenty progress down the field in ten plays for fifty eight yards to the Dolphin twenty two, and kick's a forty yard field goal on fourth and three to scratch their way to within 17 - 6. Miami then follows up with yet another three and out which is proceeded by a Jacksonville six and out of twelve yards gained. The Dolphins halted the Jags series via a Rashad Jones sack of Bortles on third and ten at the opponents forty nine yard line.
Miami takes possession at their own five yard line upon the Jaguars punt. Lamar Miller nets three yards on two attempts, and on third and seven Ryan Tannehill completes a fifty yard pass (sixty-plus through the air) to Mike Wallace at the oppositions forty two. After an incompletion to Wallace on first down, Miller rushes for nine and thirty yards consecutively to the Jaguars three yard line. On first and goal Ryan Tannehill hits Rishard Matthews for the Dolphins only offensive TOUCHDOWN. The drive covered ninety five yards in seven plays and gave Miami a 24 - 6 scoreboard advantage with 2:18 remaining in the third quarter.
The Jaguars go three and out as Miami starts the fourth quarter with a second down and ten from their own thirty two yard line. Daniel Thomas runs for eleven yards on two attempts, while Tannehill completes five of six passes for forty seven yards and a first and goal opportunity at the Jacksonville five yard line. At this point after driving sixty three yards in ten plays, the Miami offensive coordinator Bill Lazor put his quarterback in a position of failure with a call of a short middle pass that was deflected up at the line of scrimmage and intercepted in the End Zone. Sorry, but on first and goal from the opponents five yard line with a 24 - 6 fourth quarter lead you run the ball four times, or kick a field goal on the fourth play! You DO NOT call for a first down pass attempt through the trenches mass of waving arms!
Aided by another third down sack of Bortles (via Terrance Fede) Miami's defense forced a six and out for eleven yards, and the Dolphins offense took control at their own twenty one after a Jaguars punt with 8:21 fourth quarter clicks to go.
Tannehill went two of three for forty seven yards including a long thirty eight yard completion to Tight End Dion Sims, Lamar Miller rushed for nineteen yards on three carries, and Daniel Thomas had an attempt for seven yards. The possession covered sixty eight yards on nine plays in 4.5 minutes and resulted in a Caleb Sturgis field goal of twenty nine yards and a Miami Dolphins 27 - 6 lead with fewer than four game minutes remaining.
Jacksonville went eighty yards in five plays and scored their only touchdown of the day in garbage time for a final score of DOLPHINS 27 to the JAGUARS 13.
Miami rushed the ball for 133 second half yards to total 148 led by Lamar Millers 14 carries for 78 yards. Ryan Tannehill had five rush attempts for forty eight yards, and ended the day with 16 completions on 29 passes for 196 yards through the air with one touchdown and one interception. Miami narrowed down the twelve plus minute first half time of possession disadvantage to under five minutes, closed the 160 plus total yard first half deficit to 51 yards (377 to 326), and accrued 17 first downs to the Jags 19 by games end. The Dolphins defense sacked Bortles four times, forced him to fumble once, and took him To'Da'House twice.
Thank You for an Open Minded Read, and we look forward to your angle of view :) !!
Beat the Chargers, GOFINS!!!
The 4 - 3 Miami Dolphins host the 5 - 3 San Diego Chargers on week nine and will have to play far more efficiently on both offense and defense in order to have a chance at victory.
The Miami Dolphins Face the Kansas City Chiefs
The Miami Dolphins face the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday in practically a must win game for the Chiefs. Only 12 teams in NFL history have survived an 0-3 start to make the playoffs. The Dolphins are favored by 5 points in this game and that could spell trouble as Miami is 6-23 the last 10 years when favored by more than 3 points at home. The spread is sure to plummet once that stat hits the wires…
Miami is difficult for handicappers to predict because of the inconsistent play at QB. The startling stat sticking out in Bill Lazor’s throbbing head is Ryan Tannehill’s 0.6 passer rating on throws of 20 yards or more. The Miami QB is 1 of 7 for 22 yards, 0 TDs and 1 INT. Last week the Bills disregarded Tannehill throwing deep and brought the house on every down. Surely watching the film has Eric Berry licking his chops.
The Chiefs find themselves 0-2 mainly due to stud RB Jamal Charles nursing a high ankle sprain. Explosive draft pick De'Anthony Thomas has yet to play a regular season down with a pulled hamstring. Both of these two players are expected back, relieving some of the burden on Alex Smith who has been ineffective in the passing game after signing a franchise contract.
De'Anthony Thomas presents a serious challenge for a Miami special teams unit that played about as poorly as possible against the Bills. Thomas returned a punt for a TD in the pre-season and is looking forward to duplicating the feat against Miami. The Dolphins will need to plug the leaks quick before facing Thomas.
The story will look much the same this week for the Dolphins, though fortunately the KC front 4 is not as formidable as Buffalo. The Miami OL held up fairly well against a relentless Buffalo defense. They will be presented with a similar 8-man front sprinkled with a few new wrinkles as KC aims to force Tannehill to win the game. Buffalo showed Miami’s vulnerability in the deep passing game and teams will use the same formula until it's fixed, one way or the other...
The hope for a big Miami offensive showing lies once again on completing a few early long passes. If Tannehill can break the drought and hit his receivers for big plays, the defense will back off and the running game will come alive. If the same ineptitude prevails, the game could very well turn into a low scoring nail-biter with the outcome decided by a single play somewhere along the way.
The Dolphins should return a couple linebackers this week bringing depth to a lackluster group. Jason Trusnik's massive snap total may have played a part in the total special teams collapse at Buffalo. The usually sure handed Jarvis Landry made some rookie mistakes fielding punts, but there's no returning to Marcus Thigpen who was wisely snapped up by Bill Belichick. This unit needs Trusnik at full strength and completely in on special teams.
Cameron Wake has probably heard enough about being handled by a 7th round rookie in Buffalo. The Miami front 4 is one of the better units in the league when they decide to show up for a game. It’s hard to fathom how the Bills took both Wake and Vernon out of the game last week, and equally hard to fathom that both will underperform for a second straight week.
The thought here is, this will be a closely contested defensive struggle. The team making a big play in any facet should come out on top at the end. Should Tannehill get untracked in the deep passing game KC could be in for trouble, but he has not shown that ability in 34 starts and it is doubtful to suddenly blossom. The absence of Knowshon Moreno was clearly evident in Buffalo and he won’t be playing any time soon.
Everything points to Miami needing a flawless defensive and special teams performance to come out on top. While the NFL has shown a dependency on great QB play to consistently win, the Dolphins have no such luxury and must depend on a total team effort.
Bill Lazor has his hands full on an offense that seems a mismatch of talents. The big play speed receivers do not particularly block well in the run game and the QB cannot complete long passes. If things go sour early the boo-birds will surface in Miami, Tannehill's honeymoon is over. The calls for Matt Moore have not surfaced yet, but the call is waiting on the back of tongues all over Dolphin land.
Tannehill has lit-it-up approximately one out of every three games and there’s a high probability this could be his week. The Miami faithful have been blowing up the blogs in a virtual showdown between believers and non-believers. Tannehill needs this game badly to right ship and regain the confidence of teammates, coaching staff and Miami fandom as a whole.
Miami wins a close contest. The offense pulls in and works on its strengths in the running game. Expect to see less Wallace and more of Jarvis Landry and plenty of tight ends. When a QB is struggling with a facet of his game, it makes little sense to force him into those situations. Joe Philbin showed this train of thought when deciding to sit on the running game at the end of the first half last week.
Lamar Miller may take a backseat to Damien Williams in this game and Daniel Thomas is looking for redemption. Miami will pull back and go with a power running game and sure up special teams in an effort to win a close contest. Tannehill will get a couple of shots, but the Dolphin coaching staff is well aware of the .06 passer rating on deep throws and the demoralizing affect those missed opportunities have on a football team.
Miami wins a close one with a defensive touchdown!
Miami is difficult for handicappers to predict because of the inconsistent play at QB. The startling stat sticking out in Bill Lazor’s throbbing head is Ryan Tannehill’s 0.6 passer rating on throws of 20 yards or more. The Miami QB is 1 of 7 for 22 yards, 0 TDs and 1 INT. Last week the Bills disregarded Tannehill throwing deep and brought the house on every down. Surely watching the film has Eric Berry licking his chops.
The Chiefs find themselves 0-2 mainly due to stud RB Jamal Charles nursing a high ankle sprain. Explosive draft pick De'Anthony Thomas has yet to play a regular season down with a pulled hamstring. Both of these two players are expected back, relieving some of the burden on Alex Smith who has been ineffective in the passing game after signing a franchise contract.
De'Anthony Thomas presents a serious challenge for a Miami special teams unit that played about as poorly as possible against the Bills. Thomas returned a punt for a TD in the pre-season and is looking forward to duplicating the feat against Miami. The Dolphins will need to plug the leaks quick before facing Thomas.
The story will look much the same this week for the Dolphins, though fortunately the KC front 4 is not as formidable as Buffalo. The Miami OL held up fairly well against a relentless Buffalo defense. They will be presented with a similar 8-man front sprinkled with a few new wrinkles as KC aims to force Tannehill to win the game. Buffalo showed Miami’s vulnerability in the deep passing game and teams will use the same formula until it's fixed, one way or the other...
The hope for a big Miami offensive showing lies once again on completing a few early long passes. If Tannehill can break the drought and hit his receivers for big plays, the defense will back off and the running game will come alive. If the same ineptitude prevails, the game could very well turn into a low scoring nail-biter with the outcome decided by a single play somewhere along the way.
The Dolphins should return a couple linebackers this week bringing depth to a lackluster group. Jason Trusnik's massive snap total may have played a part in the total special teams collapse at Buffalo. The usually sure handed Jarvis Landry made some rookie mistakes fielding punts, but there's no returning to Marcus Thigpen who was wisely snapped up by Bill Belichick. This unit needs Trusnik at full strength and completely in on special teams.
Cameron Wake has probably heard enough about being handled by a 7th round rookie in Buffalo. The Miami front 4 is one of the better units in the league when they decide to show up for a game. It’s hard to fathom how the Bills took both Wake and Vernon out of the game last week, and equally hard to fathom that both will underperform for a second straight week.
The thought here is, this will be a closely contested defensive struggle. The team making a big play in any facet should come out on top at the end. Should Tannehill get untracked in the deep passing game KC could be in for trouble, but he has not shown that ability in 34 starts and it is doubtful to suddenly blossom. The absence of Knowshon Moreno was clearly evident in Buffalo and he won’t be playing any time soon.
Everything points to Miami needing a flawless defensive and special teams performance to come out on top. While the NFL has shown a dependency on great QB play to consistently win, the Dolphins have no such luxury and must depend on a total team effort.
Bill Lazor has his hands full on an offense that seems a mismatch of talents. The big play speed receivers do not particularly block well in the run game and the QB cannot complete long passes. If things go sour early the boo-birds will surface in Miami, Tannehill's honeymoon is over. The calls for Matt Moore have not surfaced yet, but the call is waiting on the back of tongues all over Dolphin land.
Tannehill has lit-it-up approximately one out of every three games and there’s a high probability this could be his week. The Miami faithful have been blowing up the blogs in a virtual showdown between believers and non-believers. Tannehill needs this game badly to right ship and regain the confidence of teammates, coaching staff and Miami fandom as a whole.
Miami wins a close contest. The offense pulls in and works on its strengths in the running game. Expect to see less Wallace and more of Jarvis Landry and plenty of tight ends. When a QB is struggling with a facet of his game, it makes little sense to force him into those situations. Joe Philbin showed this train of thought when deciding to sit on the running game at the end of the first half last week.
Lamar Miller may take a backseat to Damien Williams in this game and Daniel Thomas is looking for redemption. Miami will pull back and go with a power running game and sure up special teams in an effort to win a close contest. Tannehill will get a couple of shots, but the Dolphin coaching staff is well aware of the .06 passer rating on deep throws and the demoralizing affect those missed opportunities have on a football team.
Miami wins a close one with a defensive touchdown!
A Review & Preview of the Miami Dolphin Front Seven
In the
first of a series of articles, the writers at Dolphinshout will analyze changes in key areas of the Miami Dolphin football team. This installment focuses on the
defensive front seven.
The
responsibility of the front seven begins most notably with pass rushing. In
today’s NFL, money goes to the players that pass the ball, protect the passer, catch the ball, rush
the passer and cover the receivers. The front seven is the main force in
rushing the passer, but must also shut down the running, while covering the
middle of the field.
The pass
rush is where the players on the front seven earn their reputation. The Miami
defensive backs take the blame for the lack of big plays on the defense, but
balls fluttering in the air are easy pickings compared to perfect passes thrown
in rhythm. Pressuring the QB disrupts the passing game and takes the pressure off
the coverage unit. The QB has a much better chance of completing passes the
longer he has to survey the field.
The brain
trust of the Miami Dolphins is well aware the DBs are not solely to blame for
the team’s inability to create turnovers. Moving from a base 3-4 to a base
4-3 defense, changes the roles of several players in the component most experts believe is the
overall best unit on the team. There is talent left from the Sparano
regime, but Kevin Coyle’s defense attacks differently from the scheme coached
by Mike Nolan.
The
pressure is now applied mainly by the defensive ends where it previously came
from the outside linebackers. Where there was a primary nose tackle in a 3-4,
there are two tackles in the 4-3. The following illustration shows the difference
in the two alignments side by side.
The
dolphins will interchange these two formations in a hybrid defense; the base
scheme is pictured on the right. Under coach Coyle, the Miami defense changes
from the left picture to the right picture. In this simplistic interpretation,
a defensive lineman replaces a
linebacker.
The change
does not seem drastic, but the type of players required for the scheme to work
presents issues when transforming to the new the system. Paul Soliai manned the nose
tackle position in the 3-4, but he is now joined by Randy Starks at the under
tackle position. The NFL game is evolving from common five and seven step QB drops
replaced by 3 step drops in a rapid-fire up-tempo sling fest.
In this
modern passing game, the QB releases the ball so quickly, the outside linebackers
in the 3-4 are mitigated by the release time of the football. Here is a look at
the same illustration with the arcs of the pass rushers added in red.
Notice the
distance required to get the passer in a 3-4 versus the distance in a 4-3. As
the game evolves to a quicker tempo, the pass rushers have to find ways to get
to the QB fast. Lining up closer is one obvious advantage as the red lines
indicate. There is an added benefit in the 4-3 by having two tackles coming up
the middle. Any pass rush coming around the end is going to have issues
reaching the passer in the 3-step drop.
Bringing pressure up the middle can disrupt the timing of the up-tempo offense. The 3-step drop with only a single nose tackle is much easier than a 3-step drop with two tackles. Fortunately, Miami has two players already on the team capable of playing the positions, Soliai and Starks, but there needs to be rotational players to rest the starters. For that the Dolphins will need Jared Odrick to bulk up. A heavier Odrick cannot man the DE position in a 4-3, because he does not have pure pass rusher speed.
Bringing pressure up the middle can disrupt the timing of the up-tempo offense. The 3-step drop with only a single nose tackle is much easier than a 3-step drop with two tackles. Fortunately, Miami has two players already on the team capable of playing the positions, Soliai and Starks, but there needs to be rotational players to rest the starters. For that the Dolphins will need Jared Odrick to bulk up. A heavier Odrick cannot man the DE position in a 4-3, because he does not have pure pass rusher speed.
The Dolphins
began reshaping last year by drafting DE Olivier Vernon but the process was
not complete until they jumped up to the number three spot in the draft to add
Dion Jordan. With Cameron Wake at RDE, the addition of Jordan on the left side will strike fear
in QBs and the Miami defensive line has now made the complete transition to the new
defensive scheme.
Soliai,
Starks and Odrick at the tackles with Wake, Jordan and Vernon at the ends, are
as solid a group as there is in the NFL. Keeston Randall, Vaughn Martin and
Dereck Shelby will fight it out with a large group of rookies for the final two
or perhaps three DL roster spots.
The linebackers
feature free agents Danell Ellerbe and Philip Wheeler joining Koa Misi in
a change from four linebackers to three. By releasing Karlos Dansby and Kevin
Burnett, the Dolphins cut ties with two older free agent linebackers but the
need for more change is still evident when looking closely at the alignment.
The areas
circled in red demonstrate how the roles of the OLBs change from one scheme to
the other. The simple diagram shows why Dansby and Burnett are no longer with
the Dolphins. The need for speed becomes obvious when shown graphically. The
OLBs in the 4-3 have twice as much ground to cover and the two aging veterans
were a mismatch for the defense.
Both OLBs
needed to be replaced with more speedy players and the dolphins are probably
not done, but will wait for next off-season to tweak in the LB corps. Dion
Jordan and Cameron Wake will be used in hybrid type roles leaving the LB corps
manned by more special teams’ demons than by actual starting caliber LBs.
The Names
Jason Trusnik, Austin Spitler and Josh Kaddu don’t inspire thoughts of
greatness and hoping a host of rookies led by Jelani Jenkins will sure up the
LB corps is wishful thinking. The Linebackers may be the weakest unit on the
team. The free agent acquisitions are still unknowns, but there is a lot riding
on the two new players stepping up in a big way.
In conclusion,
the defensive front seven is a unit with impressive talent on the line, backed
by an unknown group of linebackers. The line will hold its own and the
linebackers should be sufficient without being spectacular. The group will be outstanding
if Ellerbe and Wheeler make the leap from spot starters to true every down
players. The group could go the other direction if these two players fail to
step up.
As go
Ellerbe and Wheeler, so goes the front seven…
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